Business to Blogs: the 411

Throughout this semester, we learned various strategies for success in the PR world. Combing what we have studied both in and outside of the classroom, I have come up with a condensed list of some of the ‘Best Practices’ for getting ahead in public relations.
- Stay current—by staying up to date on various materials, news, and human-interest topics, you will allow yourself to put your skills to the test. Learning does not stop in the classroom. Read books, magazines, blogs, etc. to immerse yourself in a whole new area of knowledge.
- Develop an aptitude for technology, fast! —Technological advances develop rather quickly; if you get too caught up on one craze, you will miss the newest fad. Always keep your eyes and ears open for the latest trends, and don’t be afraid to jump in.
- Seize the moment—embrace every opportunity to further your aspirations. From volunteer work to making copies, every networking occasion will both boost your resume and benefit your skill set. Remember, if you don’t take opportunity, someone else will.
- Separate emotions—don’t take things personally. If you make a mistake, fix it and move on. If you allow your emotions to get in the way, your work will suffer. Instead, learn from your mistakes and move forward.
- Presentation is everything—with one chance to make a first impression, you better give it your best. Do your research, ask good questions, and look the part. More importantly, have confidence in yourself. When it comes down to the wire, you ultimately write your own ticket. If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else? This is your chance to shine.

Can We Call It Stealing If We Pay the Asking Price?

On April 11, at around 9 a.m., cars flooded the Kangaroo Express gas station in Wilmington, NC to fill up on 35 cent/gallon gasoline. An employee entered .35 instead of $3.35 into the computer system. This human error cost the gas station over $1000 by the time the mix up was noticed. Customers crowded the pumps, taking advantage of the "cheapest gas in town" until 6 p.m., when the gas station realized the mistake.

Many bloggers are taking about this story; in today's economy, we know that it would be nearly impossible to pay a mere .35 for a gallon of gas. But hey, if you pay the asking price, why should you complain, right? Bloggers have commented on the ethics of this issue. What do you think? Can we call this stealing if pay the amount entered, but omit the fact that there may be a glitch in the system?

For more information, check out this link: http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080411/ARTICLE/669960132/0/FRONTPAGE

Whole Foods: Wholly On Board

How many plastic bags do you receive from the grocery on a given shopping trip? Are you aware of the fact that those bags are not biodegradable? So where do the millions upon millions of plastic grocery bags that Americans collect end up after we throw them in the trash? You guessed it….they don’t go anywhere. These plastic bags are aiding the destruction of our environment one bag at a time.

Whole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic food supermarket, has acknowledged this environmental issue. Their motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet” encompasses the company’s task in providing customer and employee satisfaction, as well as environmental improvement.

Taking responsibility, Whole Foods Market has ceased to offer plastic grocery bags at checkout isles in its headquartered city of Austin, Texas. Whole Foods says this marks the company’s first step in its plan of banning plastic bags companywide by next year. Instead, the store offers paper bags made of 100 percent recycled material.

Whole Foods Market has made further progress in this bag reformation. Customers can find what the company calls “A Better Bag”, a reusable bag made from 80 percent recycled materials, available for 99 cents at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. Besides saving the environment, shoppers will have another incentive for using their own reusable bags at checkout: a refund of 10 cents per bag.


“Let’s face it, plastic bags fill landfills, harm our water systems and wildlife, and litter our roadsides and communities,” said Seth Stutzman, Whole Foods Market’s Southwest regional vice president. “We are discontinuing the use of these bags in support of our Core Value of ‘caring for our Communities and our Environment,’ which includes adopting wise environmental practices.”
Whole Foods Market has taken a big step in saving our environment. Will you?

For more information on Whole Foods Market a their strive towards corporate social responsibility, check out these links:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com
http://www.csrwire.com/profile/1954.html
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2007/12/20/whole-foods-plans-nationwide-plastic-bag-ban/

Net Neutrality: Who Will Win the War of the Web?

The Internet is at risk. Network neutrality, also referred to as Net Neutrality or NN, has become an increasingly popular topic of discussion in Washington during the past months. The idea of NN is that information will not be blocked online…in other words, we as citizens will have the freedom to view uncensored information online. Why would this be an issue? Well, as you might have guessed, companies are trying to take away our freedom of the Internet. That’s right, your Internet world could become a whole lot smaller.

Here is a video that may help you to understand the issue:
http://mobchina.blogspot.com/2008/03/net-neutrality-explained.html

Rights of NN have already been striped from people in China. But we are America, you say. This cannot happen to me. Right? Not so. It is happening!
According to the video posted above, “phone and cable companies want to become traffic controllers”. Such movements are underway; AT&T and Verizon, two of our countries largest Internet Providers, have recently won a large amount of Internet space. According to WWW.SavetheInternet.com, “With news that AT&T and Verizon have just won the most significant chunks of available wireless spectrum, Americans face a future of more of the same: slower Internet speeds for prices that are far higher than what many people pay in Europe and Asia. And without action to restore Net Neutrality protections, the Web we get may be blinkered by phone and cable companies’ ability to restrict the content and applications we may want to use.”


Do you really want to pay for a service which is merely restricting you from equal treatment? If not, the take a stand! It is up to us to put a stop to this. As Americans, we have a voice that we must use. Speak up and express your opinions, because otherwise, sooner or later, we may not be able to communicate freely with one another online. For instance, you may even be censored from reading this blog. Do you want someone else telling you what you can and cannot see? Our ancestors already fought for our freedom, now we must fight to maintain it.

I feel that censorship is wrong. The government of ISP’s should not be allowed to tell us what we capable of doing. We are not a country of dictatorship. NN has become an important topic in this coming election as well, particularly for the young generation of voters. The Internet is really our invention; vote to protect it.

The Requirements of Blogging...Do We Need an Upgrade?

I happened to come across this blog, Blog Herald, earlier today and stumbled accross an article that seems fitting for my communications class: http://www.blogherald.com/2008/03/03/banging-the-pots-and-pans-on-your-blog/#more-6585

This article contains great tips for how to improve blog writing. If we are concerned that blogs do not stack up to professional work, perhaps a few of these suggestions could help make a difference. For instance, blogs should contain credible sources, make readers think about new ideas, and earn a credible reputation. With the increasing number of blogs out there, many don't resemble professional work-- perhaps this is why people are complaining. Instead of feeding the problem, let's change the way the system works. By understanding that our work is influential, we owe it to ourselves, and to the world really, to make sure what we publish is factual, well written, and interesting.
I believe that as future communication relies more heavily on the blogoshere, better blogging will be necessary. What do you think? Is it ok to blog casually, or should we raise our standards?

Why Watch E! When You Can Read A Blog?

Imagine you are a movie star, living in a large mansion in the Hollywood Hills. It’s lunchtime and you make plans to meet your producer/friend at The Ivy. What should you wear? What should you order? These thoughts will no doubt run through your mind; you will inevitably be photographed by at least a dozen paparazzi, and within three hours, your distant cousin who lives in Oklahoma will know that you had a bad hair day when you went on your lunch date.

Welcome to the world of celebrity blogging. Media blogs have taken Hollywood by storm. There has clearly been a shift in the way entertainment news is distributed: we no longer must tune into Access Hollywood at 7:00; we can receive instant celebrity gossip via blogs. Does this mean that there is a shift from traditional news forms to more technological ones? I think yes.

According to Melissa Gerry, author of Celebrity Blogs: the Impact of New Media(http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/26280/celebrity_blogs_the_impact_of_new_media.html?page=2), the marketplace has changed: older media outlets are seeing the change that blogs have created. Blogs have the ability to deliver information and generate buzz 24/7. In essence, traditional entertainment programs are actually looking to blogs for the latest stories to report on. Some of these well known blogs include JustJared (www.JustJared.com/), TMZ (www.tmz.com/), and Perez Hilton (www.perezhilton.com/).

While these celebrity blogs pose as entertainment for the general public and aid television and magazines in finding stories, I cannot help but think of what it does to those working in the industry. Can these individuals really keep up with the relentless attention that these blogs are creating? For instance, pull up any one of these entertainment sites and you will most defiantly see a recent post about Britney Spears: What did she wear to court? How many hours has it been since she has seen her children? Did she wear shoes when she went into the gas station? While Spears may be one example, there are plenty more. Have you ever stopped to think of how you would react if someone snapped photos of you while you left the gym or video taped you driving to work? Perhaps these blogs have crossed a personal boundary. While these sites are entertaining and informative, they also are invasive. I mean, should we really care that Angelina took Maddox to see a movie Tuesday night?

10 years ago, this was not an issue. Today, it is more like a daily routine. Celebrities know to expect it, and us…well…we have these blog sites on our list of favorites. Do you think this is simply becoming an accepted downside to the business, or has this type of blogging gone too far?

Technology: Are You Hot or Not?

How many times have you checked your email today? What about your Facebook account? I’ll take a guess and say that you’ve definitely checked each at least once. Or perhaps you have one of the hip, new cell phones that will automatically notify with any updates, saving you both the time and effort all together.

Technology is taking over our communications world. Stop and take a look around, because what is in today will be out tomorrow. There are bigger, better, and dare I say faster means of communicating with one another emerging as you are reading this blog entry. Can you keep up with the pace? Hold on, because the ride is fast and, trust me, you do not want to get left behind!

In the past, it was inconceivable to image where the Internet would lead us to today; the world is a click away. Hopefully you are embracing these technological advances, as such emerging tools has proven that we cannot foresee where future communication technology will lead us in the future.

Since you are reading this blog, you are probably pretty Internet savvy, and already recognize the importance of various media outlets that can be found online; through interactive Web sites, you can easily find tips, viewpoints, thoughts, and perspectives on any number of relevant issues. For example, http://www.shoutwire.com/ is an interactive Web site that allows viewers to “shout out” or “bash” stories or articles that have been posted on the site. Sites like this are informative in collecting the viewpoint of your target audience. For instance, say you were the President of a new up and coming company that was about to launch its first product: by posting an article on a site like ShoutWire, you could easily gather information on how your audience will gravitate towards your product. Likewise, imagine you were the head of your company’s crisis management team, and you just found out that the media got hold of a company problem that must be addressed; a site like ShoutWire can help you organize your thoughts and “must air” topics that your stakeholders are interesting in hearing.

Another innovative site that we checked out in class was www.current.com...check it out, I think it has a lot to offer to those interested in social media technology. And keep looking for more sites like this, because there are plenty out there-- you just have to find them!

In essence, emerging technology and interactive media is a way of connecting with millions of people that are no longer worlds apart. Are you using these interactive sites, or are you waiting for the next technological advancement to come along before you jump on board? Remember, don't wait too long.....you might not be able to catch up!

Campaigning For Our Generation

It has become increasingly evident to me that this coming election is importnat to not only the world, but more specifically, to my generation. Candidates are aiming their messages at the younger voters for obvious reasons; we hold the key to their success. It is the young voters that now get to take a stance and decide which policies are closest to their hearts.

I used to believe that politics were of no importance to me...honestly, I used to find watching debates or interviews boring. However, after taking classes like Media and Politics, my views have changed. I have actually grown to love the political world. Today, I feel as though I can carry on an intelligent conversation about this years election. But thinking about this has made me realize how many people my age are out there that can not even name which candidates are running. If this election is aimed at our generation, how can we be expected to vote when most young voters are so out of tune with what is even going on? I hope that more people become aware of this situation and urge others to be proactive in this upcoming election.

I hope we can step up to the challenge of what is being thrown at us! There is quite a bit of responsability resting on our shoulders....the world is counting on us!

"Without publicity a terrible thing happens...nothing."- P.T. Barnum

After taking many classes centered on public relations, I have come to appreciate its contribution to the workplace. First of all, I think that many people have the wrong idea about how exactly to define public relations. A definition that I have come to love is that public relations is doing good and telling others about it. PR is not and should not be about negative press, defaming competitors, or destroying reputations. If you are looking for a job that allows you to do this, then search elsewhere; because, unfortunately for you, you may not get too far in the field PR.

To maintain success in the PR field, one must uphold to a certain level of professionalism. Those entering the PR world will quickly learn that relationship building is key; as Michael Morton, author of Marketing Monster advises, it is a good idea to do simple things like, treat your colleagues to a lunch, or take extra time to write hand written thank you notes. Little things like this help others gain your attention, and ultimately your friendship and trust (http://marketingmonster.wordpress.com/category/marketing-strategies/.

In order to promote your client in a positive light, you must build and maintain respect from the media, with which your ultimate success or failure depends, not to mention the success or failure of your client. As far as print media goes, it is essential to realize that reporters do not have all day to edit your mistakes. You must be polished, precise, and to the point. After all, journalists have plenty of other sources, allowing them to seek information elsewhere if necessary; if you want your information to be heard, get it to the right person, at the right time, in final form.

If you work in public relations, remember that your client depends on you: as the professional, your job is ultimately to aid your client in the development of their career. Finally, remember that the working world is built upon skills, relationships, and reputations. So play by the rules, and you just may surprise yourself at how quickly both you and your client will see results. More information on the expected code of ethics from public relations professionals may be found on the PRSA Web site: http://www.prsa.org/aboutUs/ethics/preamble_en.html

Here are a few more sites to check out:

http://www.prblognews.com/

http://www.prnewsonline.com/prnewsblog/

Check back soon...

Fashion Week in NYC!

Fashion Week is here, and I don't know about you, but I love to look at the new fashion lines and clothing pieces that make their debut on the runways. Fashion is like art, expressive and intriguing. Putting on a new outfit is like playing dress-up or make believe, allowing yourself into enter into a new world. However, remember that clothes don't make a person who they are. So wear whatever you feel comfortable in, but don't be afraid to step out of the box. Fashion is what makes each individual unique.

Here are a few fashion blogs that I happened to come across while following Fashion Week:

http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/

http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/?s=new+york+fashion+week+&x=0&y=0

Enjoy!

Blogging in PR: A Technological Tool

The job of Public Relations is to make good news as effective as possible. Today, with over 400,000 PR professionals in the working world, Public Relations is booming. This “boom” is contributed not only by the number of people gaining interest in the field, but also to the ever-growing technological advances that allow PR professionals to do their jobs more thoroughly. Thanks to tools like blogging, we now have access to a surplus of information located at our fingertips (literally).

According to Blake Barbera, author of Wet Feet PR (http://wetfeetpr.blogspot.com/2005/11/why-anyone-would-want-career-in-pr.html), “I’d have to say that one of the great things about being in Public Relations is that you are always kept abreast of what is cutting edge and what is new.”

Blogging brings an innovative foundation to the forefront of Public Relations. Professionals are connected to their publics in ways thought never imaginable. For example, Heal Magazine has access to a greater public thanks to the marketing of Heal Blog (http://cureheal.wordpress.com/), a blogsite inviting cancer survivors to discuss life after cancer. Someone who may not have previously subscribed to Heal Magazine may do so after learning about it through the blogsite. Hence, blogging allows multiple markets or organizations to promote one another.

Sites like PRSA Puget Sound Chapter(http://prsapugetsoundchapter.blogspot.com/)invite professionals to communicate with one another about various PR tips, tactics, job opportunities, etc. Professional PR sites such as this one have become increasingly popular, as the challenges of keeping up with the fast- paced technologies like blogging continue to surface. As we dive into the world of blogging, we embark upon the journey of PR and look forward to where it will lead us in the future.

Let me know if you have any thoughts…

Snow Day Rant...Heard Across the Nation

It's winter time and in the winter, it snows. For many students, snow means snow day (aka. no school). For a student in Fairfax Virginia, a message questioning the headmasters decision to not close school turned into more than expected. When the student recieved a returned voicemail from the headmaster's wife, he decided to post the sound clip as a video on the ever popular YouTube.

The video clip can be seen here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yIGtf_ula8k

While many laugh at the clip, or say that the student crossed boundries in calling the headmaster at his home number, I think there is more to be learned from the situation. Nothing said if off the record! For instance, this womans voicemail is now being heard by thousands of people. As a communications student, I find it important to recognize that everything written or said has the potential to make or break your reputation. While technological advances, like this blog, for instance, are greatly improving the world of public relations and communications, it is necessary to recognize their potential for destruction as well. The world of technology is booming, and it is up to communications experts to keep up. So the next time you make a phone call, remember not to say anything that you wouldn't mind a couple thousand extra ears hearing!

Until next time...

First Time for Everything....

My name is Rene and I am a senior at SMU. Though the world of blogging is a bit foreign to me, I think I will be able to catch on quickly. I'm excited to explore this new tool in communication, and eager to discover just what blogging is all about! Feel free to comment...I'll be back soon!