When I registered for my final PR class, Style and Design, I expected Monday and Wednesday nights, 5:30-6:45, taught by Robert French. What my syllabus did not tell, was that I would be speaking with and learning from many PR practitioners around the nation. Not only do we read about real world PR, but we also communicate one on one with these individuals.
Last week, we spoke with two respectable PR individuals who were willing to take their time to do a “call in” with our class. We spoke with Whitney Drake, Global Digital Communications Manager for Ford Motor Company about their SMPRs (social media press releases). We also spoke with a very well known PR personality, Rohit Bhargava. He is Senior Vice-President, Digital Strategy and Marketing for Ogilvy and founder of their 360 Digital Influence team. He spoke with us concerning digital resumes and portfolios.
Through speaking with someone in different real work PR jobs, we as students have an amazing and unique opportunity. We have a chance to learn everything in the classroom that we would normally learn, as well as a fresh, real perspective on what we are doing.
Thank you to those who have taken the time to share with us. You have truly enhanced our Auburn learning experience.
I sometimes find it so irritating to do business with individuals of an older generation. We have all had to do it to some degree. We find it difficult to dial a number and actually talk to the another person. In a world consumed by e-mailing, text messaging, blackberries, iPhones and whatever the latesting item will be when you read this…. it shocks us to be around someone who has floated through life just fine with out it.
This generation gap of young adults who have grown up around a computer and older adults that don’t know how to check their voicemail, can make for an interesting combo. While we (the young adults) are constantly advancing, we are also constantly accommodating. The day is not far, however, when we will be in a world full of technology savvy individuals. What will that generation come up with? I will probably be the one they end up complaining about!
My favorite television show is the Today Show on NBC. It offers a variety of information from urgent national news to health to fashion. Over the years it has grown significantly and is now the largest morning television show on the air.
I occasionally visit their website if I heard about an interesting headline. Today I went to their website and took a few minutes to look around. I quickly realized that they offer multimedia of everything that is and isn’t broadcast. For example, there is a blog set up called “allDay.” This morning at 6 a.m. a post was made about Matt Lauer obsessing about cleanliness. Now, there are 10 comments on the post!
Who knew there was so much to say about a morning show host’s cleaning preferences?
The lesson learned? People want to know what you have to say. Once credibility is established, the public will flock to whatever words are on the screen.
I have always been taught that actions speak louder than words. Come to find out, it is true even in the public relations world.
With unlimited access to comments, complaints and blogs on almost any topic or product, it is important now more than ever to produce quality work. When someone experiences a pleasurable experience at a hotel a store or an event, people find out about it. I have also learned that people find out an unpleasant experience at an even faster rate.
My fiancé is planning a honeymoon for us to take in June. As we were deciding where we wanted to be, where we wanted to stay, etc, we used online reviews more than anything. Through those reviews we were able to hear the raw thoughts and experiences from specific destinations. There is also a page to post photos from the trip. I like looking at the photos that the guests took as opposed to the photos that professionals take, because I love the honesty of these websites.
I also believe it serves as accountability to companies and organizations. Once a company realizes that they are not the only source of information about their product or service, they begin to take what they do a bit more seriously.
I believe it is a win-win situation. And go figure, momma was right, actions do speak louder.
Last weekend, several of my classmates, including my instructor Robert French, attended The Edelman Digital Bootcamp for Public Relation students in the south. The conference was held at University of Georgia.
I was just reading Robert’s infOpionion about the conference. He included several tactics that were discussed and also how easy they are to use!
The first was a video podcast. Our class is podcasting weekly, so this was not a new concept for me. However, Robert went on to mention using utterz to call in and make recordings for audio podcasts. How easy is that?!? Other options are also available such as attaching photos or videos to audio podcasts.
Thanks to Edelman for creating this opportunity for so many students. Not only will they greatly benefit, but the classrooms they take this information back to will also benefit.
What I find so fascinating about Public Relations is that it ties into every aspect of our daily lives. Because of the work of so many we each have the opportunity to be instantly plugged into the world around us. There are blogs written on sports, television, hair products, finance, health and yes the multibillion dollar industry of weddings.
As a soon to be bride myself, I have found the bridal blogging world to be quite helpful. It can be a stressful time and sometimes all it takes to calm your nerve is to know that someone out there feels the way you do. You can also blog your problems away!
Don’t get me wrong. These blogs by brides are not mere bitching sessions. They can offer quite helpful advice as you encounter a new life with someone. Just recently I read a blog by Cameron Ingalls titled Marital Advice That Stands the Test of Time
Throughout this post, Cameron talks about the importance of never going to bed angry. He offers a “drill” for married couples to go through each night before they go to sleep.
Cameron says, “Everyday we need to be forgiven and to forgive each other or else we may build a laundry list of offenses that can lead to bitterness, resentment, and ultimately divorce.”
I am thankful that I can find such great advice on such a serious topic in the blogging world!
Twitter, once a word that caught me entirely off guard because of its unfamiliarity, is now a concept and a state of mind I am coming to understand.
Being a PR student in today’s world, is a challenge in and of itself. The options are endless and there is always something else to be doing, discovering, writing, reading and well the simple act of watching.
Twitter is an opportunity to network; a unique opportunity for us to interact with professionals from around the world. Socializing and connecting with other individuals has never been easier.
After my first twitter introduction, I quickly realized that older, more experienced professionals truly want to help. Several have taken the time to comment on posts, answer questions and simply take to time to become a friend.
I am excited about engaging in more helpful and educational conversations through twitter.
I have been learning about social media for about a year now. I mean truly learning about the ever-changing social media of our world. I have been introduced to concepts such as blogging, podcasting, uploading videos, and the simple power of networking. I know about sites such as twitter and utterz. But there is one aspect that cannot be taught and that is creating a community.
Jeremy Pepper in his blog, The Question of Community, writes that everyone wants to get a hold of social media, but no one is willing to put in the time it really takes to do community service. Pepper also pointed out that public relations is community relations. It is “finding the communities that CARE about what your company or product does, and convey that you care just as much about their community and that’s why you are approaching them.”
We live in a greedy world, a world that does not show pity or grace or favor to many. However, there are numerous communities that are formed through common interests, mutual friends or just happenstance. Through these communities, we can help guide each other by the products and services we believe in, therefore keeping the business world alive and thriving.
A word that Pepper used that clicked with me was “humanize.” We have to humanize our organizations and be real with people. We have all been taken for granted at some point in our lives by some company and the experience didn’t leave us with a warm and tingly feeling. We have to find the heart of our organization, our company, and ourselves. Once we have discovered it, our true motives and sincerity will take us far.
Have you found it?
Matt Jenkins says good bye. Jenkins has served as the Auburn University SGA president for the past year and is now preparing for graduation and the real world.In our interview, Matt shared information on big projects he has been working on all year long. Currently, a new student union is in developing stages. Matt spent time meeting with students, deans, trustees and other committees to contribute to the planning of this major project.
It is time for elections here on Auburn’s campus and Matt offered some advice for those candidates that are campaigning. He remembered how nerve racking the election process was for him, but Matt says to just enjoy the ride.
Matt is a senior from Birmingham majoring in finance.
Recently, Target was contacted by the blog founder of Shaping Youth, an organization focused on the effects of marketing on children. She called with concerns about a specific ad to discuss the issue.
Target’s response? Nothing. I mean, they did respond, but with this, “Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to your inquiry because Target does not participate with nontraditional media outlets. This practice in place to allow us to focus on publications that reach our core guest.”
I have a feeling there will be some revamping for Target in this department very soon.
We as bloggers hold a power that none can touch. Sure, companies and organizations can highly influence the attitudes that are being communicated, but no CEO can make us stop. That is why it is absolutely essential for every company to look for these blogs concerning their market and sell themselves, their product or their service. This is where media is today and the trend is growing.
I would guess that Target of all companies would realize the importance of growing with the changes that come with time. Target has a great website that customers can shop, buy gifts, register, find sales, and much more. Surly with all that they knew to cater to the on-line customer base.
The best teacher is said to be experience. Hopefully now, Target along with other retail stores will see the growing population of the blogosphere, and the power we hold.
