Dear journal, time flies and it’s has already been 10 weeks! This week’s readings cover the all-important crisis management and third sector, and mark a full stop to the 10-week long blog entries. In the real world, plans often get deterred due to different and sudden ambushes, thus there is a need to understand how to deal with a crisis and what to do.
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This brings us to my first point in crisis management, where terrorism remains the biggest threat in the 21st century today. After appalling acts of terrorism like September 11 and Bali Bombing scarred the lives of many, it is evident that we need to be on constant guard so as to protect ourselves. Being looked upon as professionals who are able to react quickly and efficiently during a crisis, PR practitioners themselves should be trained in this aspect so that they know how to handle situations. And as I’ve mentioned in the previous entry, planning is crucial in handling tacky situations and PR practitioners should aim to achieve a foolproof strategy to back up any failed plan.
When hit by a crisis, it requires much brain power from authorities to build community trust and faith. Other than terrorism threats, the power of Mother Nature is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. We have felt the power of Hurricane Katrina and Asian Tsunami in this 21st century, and we have seen lives and families being torn apart. Undoubtedly, it was with excellent crisis management skills to tackle those grueling situations. I feel that as PR practitioners, we should equip ourselves with such proficiency so that we’ll have an edge over the rest. Pr practitioners are the mediators, the ones who convey important information and encourage 2-way communication skills.
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Another food for thought would be under the Third Sector where I am exposed to immoral strategies being practiced by unethical organisations. They are: Astroturfing and Greenwashing, where both utilise the manipulation of public minds and thus making them think like what the organisations what they to. Both are highly corrupted values and should be condemned down right to earth.
Astroturfing: Known as ‘fee for service’ where paid individuals manifest themselves as the general public, and influence others to think like the organisation.
Greenwashing: Using PR to manipulate public views that corporations are acting in environmentally friendly ways, when they are actually not.
Such unethical strategies seem to be the norm in the working society, and we as PR students should gain knowledge about them so that we wouldn’t make a mistake on accident. I find this really worthy of note, as I have never noticed such flaws in everything prior to this. It really gave me an interesting insight and has opened a whole new perception for me!
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In a nutshell, these 10 weeks of blog entries and readings have taught me things that I never thought I would achieve from books and notes. They showed me a whole new flipside to the profession of PR practitioners and allowed me to consider carefully if I want to further this profession. I must admit that I am still not sure if I’m up to the task, but I’m willing to try.
Short-lived as this blog is, it has certainly helped me a lot and I’m sure I’ll use it for future reference.
Ciao! (:
Love, Erika
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The constant strive for perfection in the PR sector.
Dear journal, this week’s reading is an online article entitled, a typical PR program.
Generally, it covered all the aspects of the PR book that I have discussed so far. It works best as a summary and reminder on for current and future PR practitioners, in the format of a ‘guidebook’.
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On a personal note, I find the basic model of a PR program useful to my context. It puts together in 4 simple words and arrows about what I’ve discovered over the course of 9 weeks, in this complex study of PR.
Set objectives > Plan and Budget > Implement program > Evaluate > Set Objectives…
Everything is linked, and PR is just simply based on much planning. There is always a set of rules and plan to follow, what to do, how to do it, what is the outcome etc. However, this is purely theoretical and might not be so perfect in the real world. Impromptu decisions might be made at the eleventh hour, and as I’ve learned in the previous chapters, nothing is perfect for PR practitioners. They are constantly on the move for self-improvisation.
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In reading this online journal, I feel that another important point is planning. It remains the crucial role in any successful PR program. Without sufficient and adequate planning, R&E would not be done properly, budget might be overshot, objectives might be forgotten or mistaken, and so on. As such, I feel that planning is essential in every job scope, especially in the field of PR.
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All in all, this journal aided me in organising my thoughts and would serve as a constant reminder of what I should do so as to become a successful PR practitioner.
Love, Erika
Generally, it covered all the aspects of the PR book that I have discussed so far. It works best as a summary and reminder on for current and future PR practitioners, in the format of a ‘guidebook’.
-
On a personal note, I find the basic model of a PR program useful to my context. It puts together in 4 simple words and arrows about what I’ve discovered over the course of 9 weeks, in this complex study of PR.
Set objectives > Plan and Budget > Implement program > Evaluate > Set Objectives…
Everything is linked, and PR is just simply based on much planning. There is always a set of rules and plan to follow, what to do, how to do it, what is the outcome etc. However, this is purely theoretical and might not be so perfect in the real world. Impromptu decisions might be made at the eleventh hour, and as I’ve learned in the previous chapters, nothing is perfect for PR practitioners. They are constantly on the move for self-improvisation.
-
In reading this online journal, I feel that another important point is planning. It remains the crucial role in any successful PR program. Without sufficient and adequate planning, R&E would not be done properly, budget might be overshot, objectives might be forgotten or mistaken, and so on. As such, I feel that planning is essential in every job scope, especially in the field of PR.
-
All in all, this journal aided me in organising my thoughts and would serve as a constant reminder of what I should do so as to become a successful PR practitioner.
Love, Erika
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Evaluation: The Beginning of a New Effort
Dear journal, this week’s readings cover the comprehensive study of Research and Evaluation (R&E) and sponsorship and even management.
Frankly speaking, I found these two chapters extremely useful to my understanding of the job scope of a PR practitioner. They covered the two important contexts of the job, the beginning and ending of an event or proposal.
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First of all, the qualitative VS quantitative research appealed to me as we are currently exploring these two examinations in another module, Audience Studies. One important difference between these two researches that I’ve learnt from this chapter is that quantitative research can be replicated. Having done a qualitative research (focus group) myself for an Audience Study assignment, I understood how hard and tedious it gets to compile the required information and sieve out the important ones. Much analysis is needed as compared to the usual quantitative ones that I’ve did in past projects.
From this chapter, I’m exposed to the magnitude of research and evaluation. Adequate research must be done, such as knowing the clients’ tastes and preferences, in order to have a successful and easy time in evaluating the results. Also, the examples depicted in this chapter aided me in future questionnaire designs.
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Another main point is from Chapter 10 of Sponsorship and Event Management, where I’ve gathered the knowledge of Ambush marketing. It is definitely an interesting read where the chapter actually teaches you on how to prevent an ambush. I gained much insight about the profession of PR practitioners, especially where the earlier chapter of ethics came into mind.
I find that ambush marketing is an ingenious yet sneaky way of marketing, and it is indisputably an unethical act. It should not be practiced in the real world, and it totally defeats the purpose of paid sponsorships. We, as future PR practitioners, should educate ourselves sufficiently on how to prevent such ambush from occurring.
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In wrapping up, R&E is a basic need for every occupation and should never be taken lightly. An innovative idea would fail with inadequate R&E; like how an event would fall short with insufficient R&E and careful execution. Be careful, reality bites.
Love, Erika
Frankly speaking, I found these two chapters extremely useful to my understanding of the job scope of a PR practitioner. They covered the two important contexts of the job, the beginning and ending of an event or proposal.
-
First of all, the qualitative VS quantitative research appealed to me as we are currently exploring these two examinations in another module, Audience Studies. One important difference between these two researches that I’ve learnt from this chapter is that quantitative research can be replicated. Having done a qualitative research (focus group) myself for an Audience Study assignment, I understood how hard and tedious it gets to compile the required information and sieve out the important ones. Much analysis is needed as compared to the usual quantitative ones that I’ve did in past projects.
From this chapter, I’m exposed to the magnitude of research and evaluation. Adequate research must be done, such as knowing the clients’ tastes and preferences, in order to have a successful and easy time in evaluating the results. Also, the examples depicted in this chapter aided me in future questionnaire designs.
-
Another main point is from Chapter 10 of Sponsorship and Event Management, where I’ve gathered the knowledge of Ambush marketing. It is definitely an interesting read where the chapter actually teaches you on how to prevent an ambush. I gained much insight about the profession of PR practitioners, especially where the earlier chapter of ethics came into mind.
I find that ambush marketing is an ingenious yet sneaky way of marketing, and it is indisputably an unethical act. It should not be practiced in the real world, and it totally defeats the purpose of paid sponsorships. We, as future PR practitioners, should educate ourselves sufficiently on how to prevent such ambush from occurring.
-
In wrapping up, R&E is a basic need for every occupation and should never be taken lightly. An innovative idea would fail with inadequate R&E; like how an event would fall short with insufficient R&E and careful execution. Be careful, reality bites.
Love, Erika
Sunday, March 15, 2009
TURN ON THE "Switch off" MODE.
Dear journal, hello once again!
This week’s readings covered the vital tool of all PR officers, tactics and PR in the business realm. The diversity of the PR profession is discussed in the readings, and it has certainly given me a clearer insight on how to handle this taxing yet rewarding job.
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The controlled tactics VS uncontrolled is an interesting concept and has introduced me the various tools to convince the receiver, and even general public. From this section, I understood that the audiences have moved from inactive masses who think alike, to dynamic individuals of today who want to make their own decisions. Hence, uncontrolled tactics such as media releases might be more efficient than controlled ones, as the latter might be viewed as propagandas. This understanding would certainly aid me in the future when planning PR strategies and what approach to undertake.
This comprehension further enhanced the other tools mentioned, such as photography where real-life pictures hold more conviction than digitally enhanced ones. Many aspects of design, planning and research also falls into place as different approaches are constantly needed for the 21st century people. They want surprises, novelty… And they want it now.
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This thus brings us to the idea of business, in chapter 14. How then, can we make use of PR tactics in the competitive business realm?
In fact, the correct usage of careful marketing is important to flow along with PR campaigns and tactics. These two tools are often in conflict with each other, where marketing tends to side the benefits of the company while PR tactics attempt to remain neutral, such that the audiences would not “switch off”. By using product placement and branded entertainment in movies, music videos and even local TV shows, this clever tool work in tandem with PR ideologies of subtle advertising and usage of PR tools in the business realm to gain an edge over the rest.
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From these two chapters, I have realised the very importance of PR tools and tactics in different areas of work, especially in business. Once again, strong bonds and relationships are being emphasised (:
Love, Erika
This week’s readings covered the vital tool of all PR officers, tactics and PR in the business realm. The diversity of the PR profession is discussed in the readings, and it has certainly given me a clearer insight on how to handle this taxing yet rewarding job.
-
The controlled tactics VS uncontrolled is an interesting concept and has introduced me the various tools to convince the receiver, and even general public. From this section, I understood that the audiences have moved from inactive masses who think alike, to dynamic individuals of today who want to make their own decisions. Hence, uncontrolled tactics such as media releases might be more efficient than controlled ones, as the latter might be viewed as propagandas. This understanding would certainly aid me in the future when planning PR strategies and what approach to undertake.
This comprehension further enhanced the other tools mentioned, such as photography where real-life pictures hold more conviction than digitally enhanced ones. Many aspects of design, planning and research also falls into place as different approaches are constantly needed for the 21st century people. They want surprises, novelty… And they want it now.
-
This thus brings us to the idea of business, in chapter 14. How then, can we make use of PR tactics in the competitive business realm?
In fact, the correct usage of careful marketing is important to flow along with PR campaigns and tactics. These two tools are often in conflict with each other, where marketing tends to side the benefits of the company while PR tactics attempt to remain neutral, such that the audiences would not “switch off”. By using product placement and branded entertainment in movies, music videos and even local TV shows, this clever tool work in tandem with PR ideologies of subtle advertising and usage of PR tools in the business realm to gain an edge over the rest.
-
From these two chapters, I have realised the very importance of PR tools and tactics in different areas of work, especially in business. Once again, strong bonds and relationships are being emphasised (:
Love, Erika
Two-way communication... Once again?
Dear journal, this week's readings focused on the importance of PR and its community. This has inevitably made me realised how important it is for PR practitioners to build good relationships within their internal and external communities. Easier said than done, this actually means striking equilibrium between the corporate world (where PR practitioners work for) and the society.
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The two main ideas that I've adapted from this week's readings would be the significant role of PR in maintaining good relationships:
1) Within the company’s premises
2) And with the external community
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It is evident that for the 2-way communication is constantly being practiced in these two aspects so as to maintain good relations. Corporate blogs might be set up by PR personnel, where free flow of ideas and information is being shared internally within staffs, and externally with the publics.
With an emphasis on maintaining internal relationships within a company, PR practitioners have to ensure that employees are happy working such that company benefits could be reaped to the maximum.
Happy employees = Good profits = Happy employers = Happy publics
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The connection with the public is yet another vital job of the PR practitioners. In this case, they have to gather feedback and information from the community, such that the company can learn and improve their facilities or services. No matter what, it is a win-win situation.
A key point to remember would be the ability of PR practitioners to alter companies’ policies to suit to the community’s needs and vice versa. However the idea on the power of PR practitioners come into mind again, and I truly wonder is it possible for them to hold such power.
-
All in all, I understood that building good relationships is essential for the survival of PR officers.
They (or the future us) are actually peace-makers, important decision makers and strategists working hard behind the brutal scene.
Love, Erika
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The two main ideas that I've adapted from this week's readings would be the significant role of PR in maintaining good relationships:
1) Within the company’s premises
2) And with the external community
-
It is evident that for the 2-way communication is constantly being practiced in these two aspects so as to maintain good relations. Corporate blogs might be set up by PR personnel, where free flow of ideas and information is being shared internally within staffs, and externally with the publics.
With an emphasis on maintaining internal relationships within a company, PR practitioners have to ensure that employees are happy working such that company benefits could be reaped to the maximum.
Happy employees = Good profits = Happy employers = Happy publics
-
The connection with the public is yet another vital job of the PR practitioners. In this case, they have to gather feedback and information from the community, such that the company can learn and improve their facilities or services. No matter what, it is a win-win situation.
A key point to remember would be the ability of PR practitioners to alter companies’ policies to suit to the community’s needs and vice versa. However the idea on the power of PR practitioners come into mind again, and I truly wonder is it possible for them to hold such power.
-
All in all, I understood that building good relationships is essential for the survival of PR officers.
They (or the future us) are actually peace-makers, important decision makers and strategists working hard behind the brutal scene.
Love, Erika
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