In my four years of college, one of the most influential and most challenging classes I have been faced with, is my Style and Design class. In this class, Robert has not only introduced us into the blogoshpere, but also has opened our minds to a wealth of technological information. Prior to taking this class, I had only been knowledgeable on the Microsoft Office software. However, now that I have been taking this class for a couple months, I have become very familiar with many of the Adobe programs (Photoshop and InDesign), along with a couple of the Macromedia programs (Dreamweaver and Flash). We have also been introduced to Browser Bob, Skype and SnagIt. I love that I now have a beginner to intermediate knowledge of a variety of software programs and feel that I have a bit of a one up on some of the other entry-level public relations job candidates.
However, along with this knowledge of different software programs, comes the risk of being pigeonholed into a technology-based job. As an eager Pr job candidate, I am now faced with the situation of volunteering the information that I am familiar with a particular software program and in turn, get a job or promotion out of that. But, by volunteering this information, I run the risk of becoming the sole technology person. On the other hand, if I don’t make it known that I know how to do particularly different (and difficult) software; I don’t stand out from the crowd.
I never thought I would say this, but now that I am getting the hang of such programs like Dreamweaver and InDesign, I am actually enjoying doing them. I don’t mind the software and am getting pretty good at it. But, I don’t like it enough to make it a huge part of my career.
Is this a real problem in the workforce, or is there any way around this situation? Any comments or suggestions are welcome!
A few days ago, in my case studies class, we discussed a case which was targeted to encourage anti-smoking in New Jersey’s young population. This case, had a significant budget, which was used in print and television advertisements.
What really sparked my attention, about this case however, was when our case discussion turned towards anti-smoking advertisements on popular TV channels like MTV and FOX. Campaigns like TRUTH spend millions and millions of dollars running commercials targeted towards teenagers, encouraging them not to smoke. These campaigns put a different spin on the traditional “anti-smoking” campaigns and try to appeal to a young person’s mentality. TRUTH uses reverse psychology and wit to try and promote teenagers to stop smoking.
But the question is, are these advertisements working?
The majority of the commercials run on popular television stations, which is understandable. It would make no sense to run these commercials on a channel like PBS…they have no teenage audience. However, the one huge problem with using the popular TV stations, is that the viewer sees the actual TV show along with the anti-smoking commercial. In the case of The OC (on FOX), the viewer sees high school kids drink, smoke cigarettes and pot, and most recently take up cocaine. I will admit, I am an avid viewer of The OC, but I don’t smoke and don’t need to be targeted by the anti-smoking commercials. But, a young 13 or 14 year-old who is watching this show is going to be much more influenced by the negative behavior of the kids on the TV show, than a 10 second commercial trying to get them to do the opposite of the show.
I am all for trying to encourage young people to not smoke, or to quit if they have taken up the habit. But maybe we should think of an alternative way to promote it, or clean up our television shows.
In this past week, there has been much to say about one young woman (or shall I say man) who seems to think it’s funny to pose as a sexually-charged, no-holds-back PR practitioner. This smurfette, which I think is a more appropriate name, has caused quite an uproar, not only in the PR world, but also in the “blogosphere.”
Last Friday, Robert introduced the Monday Style and Design class to Kami Huyse and Susan Getgood. These two women took almost an hour out of their evening and their families, to chat with my class about the smurfette and what it is like/what it takes to be a women in public relations. As a young woman about to graduate and begin my journey into the PR profession, it was very motivating to hear from both Kami and Susan.
During our conversation, I have to admit, a lot of things were brought to my attention. I suppose you could call it naive, but I like to think that these are just things that they don’t teach you in the classroom. Anyways, one of the biggest things that I became aware of was, how overpopulated PR is from woman, but how under populated PR is when it comes to women holding management and higher positions. Now in my defense, I was aware of just how many women are currently in PR. Just taking a look around my PR classes right now, and one can see a male-to-female ratio of about 1:10. BUT, what I was unaware of was that, like every other market out there, men are still dominating the management positions.
I do not have a problem with men in management positions, as long as they deserve to be there. If a man is the best candidate for a position, by all means, he should be there. However, I do have a problem with men, like this smurfette character, who seem to think that every woman in PR got to where she is by laying on her back. Is it so hard to believe that a woman can have a power position because she is smarter than a man and deserves to be there?
Although I have yet to begin working, I have had a couple internships, and I can guarantee you that this particular PR professional in-training does not abide by those rules. I have always done things the honest way and will continue to, post-graduation. What goes around comes around, is my philosophy.
Wow! What a week I have had, relishing in the beautiful beaches of the amazing Acapulco Bay, Mexico. Let me just say, I would recommend this hotspot to anyone looking to make a trip to the beach, and more specifically Mexico. Here, one can really get a feel for the local life, as the town is NOT over-touristy or over-Americanized like some other Mexican vacation destinations.
Anyways, I did not come to blog about the Acapulcan landscape and beaches (however, I very easily could!), I am writing a follow-up to my most recent post on how many companies are beginning to see the numerous advertising potentials in marketing to college spring-breakers.
For my group, we were bombarded by AXE advertisements. For those who may not be familiar, AXE Body Spray is a deodorant/cologne spray for men. AXE is notorious for advertising sexual and a bit racy commercials to the 18-35 crowd. I must admit, they are very catchy and get the attention of their target audience.
So, keeping with the male, spring break target audience, AXE launched their AXE Boot Camp (Spring Break Readiness 06) campaign. The campaign centers itself on catchy, sexual based slogans that promote hooking up and of course, making the male smell and look as good as he can by using AXE. These slogans and the AXE name where everywhere in the hotel: on the room doors, elevator doors, the pillowcases, the shower curtains, and in the bottom of the hotel pool.
For instance, here are a few of the slogans that were on each individual room door:
1. Upon entering [your room], check your 3 and 9 o’clock for amorous females.
2. Do not enter if any of the following items are hung on doorknob: neck tie, sock, scrunchy, bandana, dog collar, or banana peel.
3. Maids must knock before entering. French maids just come on in.
While they are a little dirty and trashy sounding, AXE was completely successful in getting the spring break crowd to talk about their product. With all of the advertisements, literally surrounding us in the hotel, it was hard not to notice them, read them, and then laugh at the funny slogans. I’m not sure whether these advertisements encouraged the males to actually go out and purchase the product or not, but they did an incredible job of promoting their name and getting all of us to laugh out loud at the crazy ads.
So, I am technically on Spring Break right now, although I will not be leaving until Saturday. It is such a great feeling to know that I will have an entire week off from school (and blogging…sorry Robert!), to just relax and hang out with good friends.
Since I am a senior this year, my girlfriends and I decided that we would go out with a bang and are heading to Acapulco, Mexico. Yes…I am so excited and can’t wait to soak up the sun on the beaches of the Pacific Ocean.
One of the things that hot spring break spots, like Acapulco, Cancun, Key West, etc. all have in common is that public relations, marketing and advertising companies are beginning to see the business potential in marketing to college students. Many companies, ranging from beer companies to credit card companies, and everything in between, are finding new customers through spring break. During the month of March, colleges from all over the country indulge in spring break. Companies are realizing this and are traveling to the students, in hopes of gaining a new customer base and reaping the rewards of word of mouth marketing.
On the student front, this form of marketing is annoying and bothersome when one is simply trying to relax at the pool or the beach. But I can respect why companies are resorting to these methods…they work. It is an ingenious form of marketing and when a companies efforts get paired with a resort, the company’s opportunities are endless.
First there were blackboards and chalk, then there was dry erase boards and markers, and presently there are now PowerPoint presentations. But nevertheless, the university classroom setting is beginning to go through another transition because now there are podcasts. Lately, all I have been hearing about from Robert is podcast this and podcast that and how they are significantly changing the way university course lectures are presented.
I realize that I might be the only person in the world who still has yet to purchase an iPod, but for the present moment, I just don’t feel the need to have one. However, maybe if I wasn’t graduating this summer, I would rethink purchasing one for future classes. Podcasts, or streaming audio bites, are becoming to the new alternative to physically being at a lecture.
For right now, I presume that many professors are holding back from broadcasting their lectures on podcasts because they run the risk of students not showing up to class. Many students (and I’m sure I would fall victim to this as well) would simply look to the podcast as a perfect replacement to attending class. But, Duke University economics professor Lori Leachman is finding a solution to have the best of both worlds. She is well aware that podcasting her lectures will hurt classroom attendance, so instead of immediately broadcasting every lecture, she waits and broadcasts a lump of them together every few weeks or so.
I think where podcasts will serve to be most beneficial, however, is dealing with non-traditional or graduate students. Often times, non-traditional or returning students struggle having a job, family, children, or all three and school on top of all that. Broadcasting lectures for these busy people will serve to be extremely beneficial. Graduate students can also reap the benefits of having their lectures available through podcast. Studying for exams or writing thesis papers will be much easier if they are able to access a lecture anytime they want.
Auburn University’s own Dr. Dave Martin, of the Department of Rehabilitation and Special Services, is taking his graduate classes to another level through means of podcasting his lectures. According to Robert’s Camp ASCCA blog, “The lectures from the class are recorded and placed online for students in the classroom and for those doing graduate work online through distance learning.”
Dr. Martin’s podcasts are available to download from Auburn’s website, but are also available (along with many other podcasts) for purchase from iTunes.
One of the reoccurring topics that we discuss in my survey research class is how college students make for great survey participants. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t receive a flyer, coupon, survey, etc. on my way to class. There are constantly groups of people that spend their day handing things out to those of us walking to class. Personally, I think that there are two sides to the debate of using college students as survey participants…one good and one bad.
The running joke we have in class is that college students are so great for surveys because we will basically do anything (within reason) provided that there is a little incentive. Companies that are trying to pre-test surveys or test the market for certain products usually find college campuses to be very beneficial. Granted that a student is not on his or her way to class or late to a meeting, surveyors can usually entice a college student to answer a survey by simply providing a coupon for a free sandwich at Chick-fil-A or something along those lines. This is a great way for companies that have a small public relations or marketing budget to get their product out into the hands of their target audience, while also reaping the rewards of word of mouth marketing.
But, I do think there is one major downside to marketing to college students. Although we don’t ever know it is happening when it is happening, guerilla marketing is becoming an increasingly accepted and used form of marketing, and it’s occurring all over. However, I don’t agree with this form of marketing and think that in a way it is misleading and deceiving. Guerilla marketing goes against all that is good, in word of mouth marketing. When a spokesperson is being paid to go undercover to increase the buzz talk on their individual product, that produces false advertising. The spokesperson could hate the product he or she is trying to promote, but as long as he/she is getting paid at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter.
In general college students do make for great survey participants, however, I would like to see a decrease in the guerilla marketing and false advertising.
Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Carrie Underwood…love ‘em or hate ‘em, they were all a part of America’s guilty pleasure, “American Idol.” For the better half of the past four years, I have been one, not to necessarily hate ‘em…but not really see what the whole hype was about the show. I usually watched at the beginning of the season to see what kind of hopeful rejects FOX would find to broadcast to millions of people. For some unknown reason, I always found it exceedingly funny to watch these god-awful singers try to make it big. (Side note: As far as I know, William Hung was the only one to actually make something out of himself for being one of the worst singers to ever appeal on American Idol.) After all the bad people were cut, I lost interest and would usually pick back up when there were three or four people remaining. My reasoning for this was, if I have absolutely NO idea who won the contest I would be out in the dark on the nearly endless media coverage that follows the finale of A.I.
This year, however, for no particular reason, I have been watching the show from the beginning and am actually liking it. I mean who can resist the small town girl, Kellie Pickler or the sultry looks of Ace Young? It’s funny, but I am finding myself choosing favorites and looking forward to the next week’s shows. For the first time since the show began, I actually know who people are talking about when they are referring to the current American Idol contestants.
But the thing is, is that I am not alone in picking up the show for the first time this season. In Tuesday’s USA Today Life section, there is an entire front page article dedicated to the show and its contestants. What caught my eye, from the article, was that American Idol gained viewer ship this year. According to the article, the show is, “averaging 30.4 million viewers” and in its fifth season is running it is, “12% ahead of last season, reversing the usual pattern of audience decline over time.”
Probably one of the biggest factors American Idol can attribute its success to is that they have an exceptional marketing and public relations staff. The show has not only been able to retain viewers over the years, but they have been able to gain viewer ship as well. Their marketing and PR people are continuously giving the viewers what they want, which is a consistently entertaining show. They have made minimal changes to the first season of the show, and I think there is something to be said for that. A lot of times viewers want a show they can look forward to season after season, without having to worry that major changes will take place.
Case in point, whatever American Idol is doing, its working. Personally I can’t wait to see next week’s episode. My money is on Taylor…
So, perhaps I just got snapped into reality, with regards to blogging. I have been blogging now for about 3 months and feel like I am starting to really get the hang of it. I am still new to the “blogosphere,” but I feel like I am finally starting to feel comfortable with my voice and opinion on topics affecting the public relations profession.
However, like I said above, I was snapped back to reality yesterday afternoon when someone very rudely decided to comment on one of my posts. I am not sure who it was because the person decided not to leave a link back to his website, but I am almost certain it was no one involved with MarCom blog or any of the contributors.
Anyways, this person commented on my post about Milky Way and Krystal promoting poor eating habits in Americans. (I have since deleted his negative comment because I don’t wish to have his rude comments on my blog.) Not only did this person decide to disagree with what I was saying, but when into personal attacks against my character and opinions on this topic, in a rude and sarcastic manner.
Now, I realize that my blog posts are my own personal opinions, and I would never expect everyone to agree with my statements. However, I do think that anyone who chooses to read and comment on any of my posts, should be courteous enough to comment with respect to me and my opinions. I am only asking of others what I do myself.
Having that said, I think that because blogging is done via the Internet and we don’t know exactly who it is we are communicating with, it is easy to forgo and forget common courtesy and respect of others. I am not against someone disagreeing with something I have to say in any way, shape or form. But, I think out of respect to the blogmaster, we should try to remember to keep it tasteful and respect the fact that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Jeremy Pepper, a very known and respected blogger, is one of many bloggers who have taken time out of their schedules to help all of us Auburn students learn and appreciate blogging. I have commented on his site a few times and remember his comments policy posted on the home page of his blog. (Jeremy…I hope you don’t mind me using you as an example!) I appreciate his policy and would like everyone reading, to visit his site and read it for themselves.
For anyone else who wants to make rude, thoughtless, or negative comments on my blog, I would appreciate you to respect my opinions. Please feel free to disagree with anything I have to say, but please do so with tact and character. I will delete all crass comments and ask you to take your bad attitude elsewhere.
My group project for survey research class is really starting to come along. Last night we had another group meeting to try to finalize our survey questions and who we were going to be targeting our survey to. We have decided to contact the top fifty newspaper publications in the United States, and try to contact anyone who will take our survey. Our hope is that if we send our survey to a handful of people at each publication, we will be able to get someone to answer. Our goal is to get at least one response from each publication.
Our main concern, however, lies in the issue of how we are going to be able to contact these people at all the publications. Since we are trying to contact the top fifty publications, we realize that the people we are targeting are busy…very busy, and it’s going to take a lot to get them to answer a survey. Although we don’t have a specific title that we have to target, it would be awesome if we could get a few senior employees input.
Our first suggestion was to contact people through the phone. But, after some discussion and weighing of our options, we have decided against that tactic and have opted for the e-mail route. We are hoping to use Survey Monkey (a popular, do-it-yourself survey program) and make the process as quick and easy as possible. The problem with e-mail, though, lies in the fact that because these people are so busy and don’t have time to answer a twenty-question survey, we are worried our survey will just be deleted.
Another option for getting people to respond to our survey, is to offer an incentive for their responses. However, our budget for the survey does not have room to provide a gift incentive for everyone that answers. So, to put it bluntly, our group is a bit stuck.
I am sure many of you reading have had experience giving or receiving surveys, whether it be through the phone or via e-mail. We are open to any and all advice on how to get people to respond to our survey!
