Mr. Public Relations

Why I love ‘Real-Time Marketing & PR’

2011-10-14T11:58:00.008-05:00

Long overdue on my reading list has been David Meerman Scott’s bestseller, “Real-Time Marketing & PR.” Now that I’ve read it, I don’t know how I could have gone without it. “Real-Time” is a catalyst of insightful case studies, resources and thought-provoking strategies.

His book adds new insight to already classic examples of real-time PR such as the “United Breaks Guitars” incident and highlights other great marketing examples including the Grateful Dead’s real-time tour marketing strategy. Scott also touches on the importance of crowdsourcing. One of my favorite analogies from the book was his astute observation of today’s two-way, tech-savvy communications between vendors and consumers as resembling that of an ancient bazaar – something that was lost in the later part of the 20th century due to the one-way communication format of traditional media.

I particularly enjoyed Scott’s citation of Telstra’s 3Rs of Social Media Engagement:

Representation
Responsibility
Respect

If you’re puzzled about where to start writing your organization or brand’s social media guidelines, the book includes eight insightful steps to create and implement those guidelines along with a great example that showcases how IBM gets it.

Scott is also very candid about his own missed opportunities and how real-time responses by others such as GM helped to provide positive examples of the organizations and brands that readily understand the urgency to adapt a real-time strategy.

Whether your strategies involve everyday or crisis management communications, “Real-Time” resonates a central theme for succeeding in today’s evolving marketing and PR field: “Scale and media buying power are no longer a decisive advantage. What counts today is speed and agility.”

It’s a Rite of Passage, You Stupid [CENSORED]!!!

2011-10-04T16:50:00.011-05:00

I believe that at some point in every PR professional’s career, she or he is going to receive an email that isn’t very pleasant. This goes without a doubt in my mind. In fact, it will probably be down right absurd, maybe even obscene, and probably not very comprehensible. Whether it occurs during a crisis or just out of the blue, it is going to happen one way or another.

I recently had the privilege to speak about new media in front of a group of international civic leaders from East Asia and the Pacific for the Meridian International Center. One of the participants, Hong Kong Unison Executive Director Fermi Wong asked me how to respond to people during abusive emails. My answer, “Don’t!”

As David Meerman Scott wrote in Real-Time Marketing & PR, “Some people are just plain crazy, and you don’t want to get dragged into dialogue with a psycho.”

My response to Fermi was the same. It is critical to engage consumers and stakeholders when a problem occurs involving your product or organization, but not everyone who contacts you is sane or willing to listen. These individuals are not coming to you to solve the problem. They are simply trying to start a fight.

The following quotes are from my favorite two wacko emails that I have received to date while I was working for SPJ:

“(TH)ANKS for PROOF you pieces of [censored] are NOTHING more than leftist mouthpieces! Objective's [CENSORED]! YOU ALL are a DISGRACE to what journalism ONCE stood for!!” ... “Get it through your Idealistic Liberal Communist Marxist heads. [censor]ing Idiots!!!!”
~ TED

“Professional journalism in America . . ha ha ha ha . . . let me guess . . . war is holy, muslims are evil, liberals are traitors, Bush is God, and lies are truth. There!. did i win "Best Journalist in America" award? Please, Tell me I won.”
~ Ruben

These types of emails are typically filled with irrational statements, expletives and other non-coherent ramblings. I chose to highlight these two messages in particular because they are humorously as polarizing as it gets. The truth is that no good can ever come from responding to these types of emails. In fact, here are a couple of things to remember next time you receive a wacko email like these:

Let it go – It’s not as personal as it seems though it often seems like it is. The sender of the email may try to say things that single you out, but they are only trying bully an irrational response from you. The second you forget that is the moment you fall into their reality and become their puppet.
Your time is valuable – The more time you spend fuming over this email is time that you’ve lost and can never get back.
Tell a colleague – Sometimes venting to a co-worker is the best medicine if someone has written you an email that seems too particularly overwhelming.
If you ever do respond, NEVER respond with your gut – When we respond impulsively, we do so honestly and often irrationally. If you find yourself in a situation where a response is imperative, remember that the responder will do everything in their power to twist what you say. With that said, never editorialize, take your time in crafting a well-thought message and only provide the facts.

It’s also important to understand that you’re NOT alone! When Fermi asked me about these types of individuals, I shared my own experiences with her and so did many of the other civic leaders in the room. It was a very reassuring moment for all of us and I hope this post does the same for you.

Editors Note: When this post was published yesterday evening, the word "right" was used instead of the proper word "rite" due to what I refer to as "jet lag" mixed with exhaustion. Apologies for the clerical error.

Why Reynolds Center IS the Business Beat

2011-06-27T20:21:00.010-05:00

One of the most important strategies a PR professional (early or mid-career) can do to continue advancing his or her vocational knowledge is to actively seek out efficient professional development training opportunities. If you are looking for training that is conducive to your busy schedule, then I highly suggest considering webinars. My personal favorites are those provided by the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism.

Since 2003, the Center has done an exceptional job in providing journalists with free, thought-provoking, critical training sessions to help improve the quality of American business journalism. Training from the Center focuses on numerous topics, including agriculture, the economy, green sustainability, healthcare, banking, economic development, personal financing, technology, sports, non-profits and more.

A perceptive observer will realize that many of the sessions the Center offers can help journalists’ public relations colleagues as well. From financial writing to competitive market research to finding a local angle on a national story, there are countless learning opportunities. Here is a recap from the site, showcasing some of the most recent webinars that I have attended.

Think Like Google – What You Need to Know About SEO
This Webinar provides basic tips on SEO fundamentals and how search engines find online content, along with tips and tools for writing good headlines and ledes for the Web. This session was led by Chad Graham, social media editor at The Arizona Republic, and Robin J. Phillips, managing editor of BusinessJournalism.org.

Beyond Google – Mining the Web for Company Intelligence
This two-part webinar teaches you the tools and techniques that competitive intelligence experts use every day — and that you can use to keep tabs on companies. Taught by Cascade Insights principal Sean Campbell, the series focuses on how to mine social media for insights on a company’s recent missteps, successes and future intentions as well as how to find portals and online communities that align with a company’s customers or their initiatives.

The webinar includes a lot of critical techniques on mining HR-oriented sources for company intelligence and how to spot potential mergers and upcoming product launches before they occur. You’ll also better know how to identify sources through business networks and media-sharing sites as well as ways to background sources effectively via the Web.

15 Tips for Time Management for Business Journalists
Taught by senior writer Tami Luhby of CNNMoney.com, this webinar emphasizes the basics of time management, including helpful tools for keeping track of essential daily tasks at work and home. Luhby highlights a lot of creative online tools and resources you can use to maximize your efficiency.

I’m currently looking forward to attending the Center’s week-long webinar series on Unlocking Financial Statements, July 18-22, which will cover income statements, balance sheets, cash flows and writing about numbers. Aside from webinars, Reynolds also offers regional workshops, as well as daily tips that can be found at BusinessJournalism.org.

Find out more about what the Reynolds Center presently has to offer on their online calendar.

CSR with FedEx's Rose Jackson Flenorl

2011-04-12T19:06:00.016-05:00

Fortune magazine’s recently released 2011 report of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” named FedEx Corp. as the eighth most admired company in the world. Of the survey’s nine key attributes of reputation, FedEx ranked third in its industry for social responsibility.

As Manager of Social Responsibility at FedEx, Rose Jackson Flenorl directs and implements the company’s community outreach strategy in the areas of disaster relief, safety, education, and environment in national and international markets. She is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with organizations serving African-American, Hispanic, Asian and other diverse audiences.

Flenorl also designs and executes programs that support the FedEx brand globally. She manages relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, acting as the Social Responsibility representative on the company’s internal Corporate Social Responsibility Roundtable, and communicates the company’s community philosophy, objectives and programs to audiences worldwide.

Why is social responsibility vital in the corporate culture of FedEx or any brand?

At FedEx, SR is vital because it speaks to our being employer, neighbor and carrier of choice.

Employer of choice: Being responsible helps us with team member recruitment and retention. People want to work for a company that is responsible and being a part of a responsible company builds one’s morale and loyalty.
Neighbor of choice: Being responsible makes FedEx attractive to local communities where we seek license to operate and grow. We want people to have “open arms” when they see us coming. Because FedEx is known as a responsible company, communities are eager to embrace FedEx.
Carrier of choice: research has shown that a majority of consumers will actually switch brands to one that is perceived as more socially responsible.

It seems like most brands share similar values in their social philosophy. What makes FedEx stand out in the quality of its programs?

Some brands still view social responsibility in terms of check-cutting philanthropy. At FedEx, we focus our philanthropy in ways that leverage our core competencies as a corporation. While we also give financial contributions to NGOs, our focus areas are built around what we are good at:

Disaster Response: with the world’s largest express transportation network, we are uniquely positioned to expedite life-saving disaster relief materials to where they need to go.
Safety: with tens of thousands of vehicles on the world’s roadways, safety is in the very heart of our corporate mission statement. We work with Safe Kids Worldwide in ten countries to promote child pedestrian road safety initiatives. The WHO (World Health Organization) is launching a Decade of Action for Road Safety this May. FedEx has been working in this area with Safe Kids for 11 years. We helped Safe Kids China establish the first school zone in that country and we are influencing the creation of safety laws and school curriculums around the world. We’ve reached millions of children and adults with road safety messaging and have made environmental improvements around schools in many cities around the world.
Education: With our expertise in global trade, we are helping Junior Achievement Worldwide teach young entrepreneurs in more than 50 countries how to expand their business competencies to include international savvy.
Environment: The EarthSmart Outreach vision is to make communities cleaner, healthier and more efficient by encouraging sustainable transportation, parks and green urban spaces, and resilient ecosystems.

What analytics do you feel are important to measure the success of a social responsibility campaign?

Measurement used to be the holy grail of philanthropy, but we increasingly understand how to demonstrate the impact of our investments. At FedEx, we use a simple framework:

Social and/or Environmental Impacts - Did the program create realsocial change? Did we provide value to the organization, the communityor the environment?
Team member engagement - Did team members have a positive servicelearning experience? Did they believe they made an impact?
Community ownership - Does the initiative make a lasting change in the community? Is there an organization or community that "owns" theprogram?
Brand & Reputation - Did the investments reflect the how FedExCares? Did the effort reach important community stakeholders?

What ways have social media played an important impact in emphasizing and highlighting your social responsibility efforts? Are there any particular scenarios lately you can reference?

Social media hasn't changed our programs, but it has changed the way we communicate our work and reach new audiences.

At FedEx, we started using social media in 2008 with the launch of our Citizenship Blog. The platform has evolved, but atits core is the opportunity to tell the FedEx story about disasterrelief, safety programs, education efforts, and our work in theenvironment, ranging from electric vehicles to urban conservationefforts.

Our team works closely with our social media team and the various platforms we use, including Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, to share our story. We have our @FedExCares and @FedEx handles that regularly share updates with followers about our programs. We have dedicated pages on Facebook related to the Community and EarthSmart. Many of the videos we have produced on our programs are on the YouTube channel.

What key strategies do you feel are important to implement in your disaster relief efforts? Can you tell me more about some examples in FedEx’s case?

Strong, consistent relationships with global disaster relief agencies. We are in weekly if not daily contact with leaders at Red Cross, Salvation Army, Heart to Heart International and Direct Relief International.
Proactive outreach to global NGOs (non-governmental organizations) when disasters strike. At first notice of any large natural disaster we immediately reach out to our global NGO contacts to offer assistance.
Close ties operationally.Our team members at our ramp locations near our NGO contact relief warehouses around the country are on a first name basis with our local NGO contacts. The NGOs know how to prepare shipments correctly including paperwork, packaging, etc.
Participation on first class leadership councils to stay on top of developments in the field. FedEx representatives serve on the Red Cross Corporate Advisory Council and the US Chamber’s Business Civic Leadership Center Disaster Response Working Group. We also have close connections with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the American Association of Corporate Contributions Professionals, InterAction, NVOAD and other relief organizations.

What approach do you recommend for building future partnerships with other brands and nonprofits for collaborating on programs?

Be sure you have the manpower bandwidth and financial resources to make the program effective and sustainable.
Look for companies and NGOs that are similar in scope (local, national, global).
May want to avoid “also ran” programs where your company winds up on a long list of contributors, look to develop something innovative and impactful.
Make sure other brand(s) are reputable and have similar approach to CSR.
Make sure charity checks out (990, percentage admin/pr, etc.)
Seek to support programs that leverage corporate core competencies in a way that complements other corporate core.

Of the responsibility programs that effect local communities that FedEx is involved with, which is your favorite and why?

The local community programs that have the greatest impact and leverage our core competencies are my favorites.

I am proud when I see our planes land in disaster-stricken regions, bringing relief supplies to those in need.
I am honored when FedEx is recognized as a best place to work for diverse groups and seen as a model for other corporations.
I am uplifted when I know our drivers and community partners at Safe Kids are working hard to make streets safe for child pedestrians.
I am hopeful when I speak to students in classrooms around the world and am inspired by their efforts to overcome the odds and get an excellent education.
I am connected when I see our people and our communities consider the valuable ecosystems around them and invest to make our world more sustainable.

Same question of international programs?

Safe Kids Worldwide and FedEx created Safe Kids Walk This Way to teach safe behaviors to motorists and child pedestrians and create safer, more walkable communities. The goal is to prevent pedestrian-related injuries to children. Safe Kids Walk This Way is a signature program for FedEx. Safe Kids Walk This Way launched in three U.S. cities in 2000. Since then, the program has been implemented in 250 cities in nine countries around the world, enabling 14,000 FedEx volunteers to reach more than 4 million participants.

FedEx has been highly regarded for its work with Safe Kids. In 2008, the Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) run by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognized FedEx as a finalist for the International Community Service Award. On Monday, it will be announced that FedEx and Safe Kids have won an international road safety award.

What are some of the latest outreach initiatives you are currently developing and how do you hope they will help to benefit those communities?

Starting last year (2010), FedEx began making significant philanthropic investments in the environment. FedEx has been a leader insustainable innovation, evidenced by our creation of the first hybrid-electric delivery vehicle with the Environmental Defense Fund, 5 hubs generating 5 MegaWatts of solar power, and our investment in electric delivery vehicles in the U.S. and abroad. We extended our commitment to the environment through innovative investments in sustainable transportation, cities and ecosystems.

One of the leading investments is with EMBARQ, an organization that supports sustainable transportation improvements in emerging economies. Growing economies lead to growing traffic. More traffic means more congestion, more pollution and more safety incidents. EMBARQ works with cities to bring mass transit solutions that will eliminate transittimes, significantly reduce carbon, and improve the safety for all roadusers. We've seen great success in Mexico with this program and have been using our expertise in global vehicle management, marketing and safety to advance mass transit projects in a rapidly growing market.

FedEx has also supported two recent environmental disaster efforts. First, we invested in the reforestation of the Sichuan Province of China, a region struck by a powerful 8.7 earthquake in 2008. Funding through Conservation International supports local employment, will add over 100 hectacres of forest, and supports the survival of the Giant Panda. Second, this last summer, we worked with the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and multiple government agencies to transport 25,000 sea turtle eggs from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean through our FedEx Custom Critical network when the oil spill threatened their hatching and survival.

How do you apply your own life experiences in your work with FedEx?

I have always had a personal commitment to the community. I have served on numerous boards and volunteered for various non-profits over the years. I have a personal passion for the work I do. I have witnessed the need, so I am committed to making an impact. Yesterday I supported Teach for America Week. I spoke to an 11th grade English class at Clarksdale High School. I graduated from Clarksdale High (Miss.).

I was able to talk to students from my hometown about the importance of an education. I was able to say I was just like you. I wanted to inspire the students to value their education and to let them know that education was key to making their professional dreams come true.

It is such an honor to lead our efforts at FedEx. FedEx has such a commitment to community. Our leadership and our employees make a difference in their communities every day.

For other PR pros, looking to learn the ways of social responsibility, what inspirational strategies and lessons can be taken from the programs FedEx executes?

First and foremost, know your business. Understand your corporation’s competencies, expertise and business drivers. The best CSR strategies are aligned to corporate strategy.
Second, focus on what you do best. There are millions of causes to invest in and they are all worthwhile. Our role is to determine where we can find the best ROI for our investments.
Finally, develop strategies owned by your employees and communities. The long-term success of these programs is that they resonate with those most close to the impact of the work.

A PR professional has just stepped into a Social Responsibility position for the first time. From your own experiences, what tips would you give them to lead to a successful first year (and beyond)?

Understand the issues. When I got my first job in CSR, I called a friend at IBM who had worked in the field for a number of years. She recommended a class for me at the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College.
Do your homework. If the focus of your corporation is environmental sustainability, make sure you understand how the issue impacts your company. Learn the organizations and non-profits who are the experts.
Network with other CSR professionals. I belong to ACCP (Association of Corporate Contributions Professionals), and I serve on the board of directors for the US Chamber BCLC (Business Civic Leadership Center). I am also a member of the National Corporate Advisory Council for the American Red Cross. Read and stay current. Who are the thought leaders and organizations making an impact?

FedEx across the web:

The US Chamber BCLC approached FedEx about working with InterAction on the development and launch of the Haiti Aid Map (http://haiti.ngoaidmap.org/). FedEx has been instrumental in launching this incredible tool to advance transparency, efficiency and effectiveness in the wake of disasters.
The Salvation Army approached FedEx for support with a unique environmentally sustainable approach to rebuilding communities after disasters. Working with the U.S. Green Building Council, Harvard University and other leading institutions, this effort promises to be a highly effective approach to disaster recovery. http://www.envirenew.org/resiliencysummit.aspx
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies invited FedEx to present on our exemplary working relationship with Red Cross at the International Association of Volunteer Effort global conference in Singapore this year, bringing visibility to the important work of the Red Cross and the significant role FedEx plays in helping them deliver their lifesaving services. http://www.iave2011.org/home/index.php

Soul Food: The Art of Storytelling

2011-03-27T11:26:00.005-05:00

People want to feel personally connected to a brand and one of the most rewarding ways to build relationships with them is still through the art of storytelling. As much as I love social media, it is still just another vehicle for your message. It's the quality of your content that counts.

It may seem warm and gooey at times but telling the tale of those influencing or influenced by your brand humanizes you immensely. Storytelling is the soul food of public relations efforts when it comes to your target publics, brand and you the practitioner.

Telling these stories is an exceptional win-win-win situation because:

It not only helps to strengthen the connection with your current audience, but it can also help create new, meaningful relationships you didn’t already have with potential audiences.

Sometimes those narratives feature an individual (or more) that makes an incredible impact in the efforts of our brand who now gets to have her/his story immortalized.

Getting to scribe those stories gives you, the author and practitioner, a deeper sense of personal accomplishment that most analytics can't “measure” up to. In fact, you'll see better analytics as a result of strong storytelling.

Every two months my organization publishes a national magazine known as Quill for which I write a membership profile column. With each story I write I have a chance to help our members and other journalists learn more about people like them who have invested themselves in SPJ and have made unique contributions to the profession.

In the latest member profile, I was able to highlight an incredible individual, Hank Klibanoff, whose efforts continue to shed great light on the struggles of the civil rights era. Upon reading the article, Hank wrote to me in an email saying “I caught up with the article you wrote about me for The Quill, and am impressed by it. You did a wonderful job, and you got it right. Thank you.”

As Charles Schulz might would have said, Happiness is a warm thank you letter. By the way, you should keep those letters and printed emails from the people who have told you how much your efforts mean to them. Put them in a scrapbook. On a rainy day, they’re worth so much more than a plaque on your office wall.

Another great way you can build relationships with your publics is by telling the story of how your brand relates to them on a cultural scale like PR colleague Melissa Bennett did. Last December I stumbled upon a guest post Melissa wrote for Peas for Prosperity titled “Peas on Earth - The Origin of the South's Famous Black-eyed Peas.” The post described the deep history behind the tradition of eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day in Southern U.S culture. Guess what? I grew up in the South and have eaten black-eyed peas for New Year's since before I can remember. This well written back story just gained a new audience member interested in Peas for Prosperity.

To really dive into the craft and learn how to be a better storyteller for your brand, I highly suggest reading Ishmael’s Corner by PR consultant Lou Hoffman. Ishmael’s Corner is a blog devoted to giving great analysis, additional methods and insights into the art of storytelling from a business perspective.

Here are my 10 favorite reads from the Ishmael archives:

Revisiting the All-important Anecdote

Communications Versus Behavior During a Crisis

Visual Storytelling via the InfoGraphic

Top Five Elements That Have Shaped Quest for Creativity

10 Ways Communicators Must Evolve

The Quickest Way to a Dull Story: Jargon

Blast Magazine’s Media Kit Tells A Story

Every Story Benefits From A Hero (Or Two Or Three): Business Storytelling

Hard to Beat the Classic Immigrant-Makes-Good Story

Storytelling in a News Release: Are You Fit for a Phone?

What amazing stories have your brand told lately?

Early Adopters and the Social Web

2011-03-11T19:31:00.010-06:00

Early adopters have held an important stake in cultural acceptance of new innovations throughout history. And with the extensive growth of social media over the course of the past few years, these influencers’ “phenomenal comic powers” have become paramount in the success of a brand’s marketing strategy.

What really made me think about this was the hilarious example this past Friday by comedian news anchor Stephen Colbert with his endorsement of the new iPad II on Twitter. His tweet garnered over 100 re-tweets in less than an hour. It doesn’t get more influencer relevant than that.

Since social scientist Everett Rogers’ 1962 study developed the four acceptance categories that early adopters belong to, they have continued to play a key strategic role in product marketing and brand development. The powerful influence of the early adopters often sways the early majority and combined, the two groups can account for half of a new product’s sales. The success or failure of a brand often relies on their influence.

The Anatomy of Early Adopters

So what does an early adopter look like? According to a 2010 report from Advertising Age called Shiny New Things: What Digital Adopters Want, How to Reach Them, and Why Every Marketer Should Pay Attention, a study by Forrester Research coupled early adopters “technographic” profiles with psychological theories and found that three key drivers compel them:

Risk Taking - A desire for novelty that exceeds caution and reflects a “universal openness to new experiences, including new products. They are willing to take a chance on a product with little to no market history.” There is also a desire to be first.
Information Gathering - “There is an informational burden that needs to be overcome for new products, and early adopters are more likely to seek out the information needed to inform their adoption decisions.” But they also “seek to mitigate risk through information.”
Status Seeking - Early adopters take pride in showing off their purchases. Early adopters choose products that represent them to the world—their preferences as well as their social status.”

In another study by Nielsen and Mindset Media, early adopters of new technology scored high on certain personality traits in regard to purchasing habits:

Leadership - 68% are more likely to have purchased three or more computers in the past two years.
Dynamism - 58% are more likely to have purchased three or more flat-screen TVs in the past two years.
Assertiveness - 62% are more likely to purchase a new cell phone when the latest and greatest model hits the streets.
Modesty - 45% are more likely to upgrade when a new model is available.

Finding Success in Early Adopter Outreach

Influencers are unique individuals who require personal strategies of communication. According to iMediaConnections’ C.C. Chapman, there is no science to finding the right influencers because there are far too many factors in play for it to be that easy.

“I've used many services, companies, and other outlets to assist in compiling influencer lists,” Chapman said in a blog post. “But I have yet to find anything that works better then good, old fashion networking and research.”

As an influencer and early adopter, Chapman recently published a list of four ingredients for successful influencer outreach at iMediaConnections.

On the social web, researching and approaching these influencers isn’t easy. Mere friend/follower counts and profile views fall short of accurately measuring and identifying true influencers. Simon Dumenco with Ad Age Digital set out to further debunk that perception by analyzing the supposed top Twitter influencer rankings on several subjects provided by a marketing firm that specializes in this type of research. The results showed ineffective accounts with limited influence.

That is why it is important to perform intricate research into who a brand or product’s target audiences are and cultivate sincere relationships with them. Social media based influencer relations is critically different from traditional PR methods and requires varied tone, purpose, and understanding. When you apply that philosophy you’re sure to see a higher Return on Investment.

An innovative way to help generate early buzz from adopters and continue to nurture personal relationships is to conduct one-on-one briefings with them via Skype. This insightful idea from Ogilvy’s 360 Digital Influence team gives influencers an exclusive first look at the product even when a brand has a limited number of prototypes available.

Innovating with Facebook's New Fan Pages

2011-02-20T17:51:00.014-06:00

Facebook released new design and feature changes to its fan pages two weeks ago, Feb. 5, bringing them up to date with a layout that now provides improved engagement with fans, features photos and offers better analytics for page administrators. This new version comes after Facebook’s redesigned profile pages launched last December.

After I switched the Society of Professional Journalists fan page to the upgrades, it sparked the idea to use this latest version as an opportunity to have some fun while creating a new Facebook branding strategy for SPJ. A week later, we’ve now converted the photos displayed on our fan page as promotional space to showcase various programs provided by SPJ.

As you can see above, the first set of promotions feature SPJ’s additional communications vehicles so we can better help our members and followers stay connected with what SPJ is doing in the journalism profession. Once clicked on, the description for each image provides a brief overview of that topic and additional links to those resources. In the coming months these placements will cycle and alternate with other themed placements to help SPJ’s Facebook fans with awareness of other programs such as our professional development, ethics and FOI resources.

Of course there are some limitations to this new strategy that brands will encounter. Unlike some of the creative ideas that have been spawned by their profile page alter egos, fan pages’ photos are continuously randomized and do not maintain a specific order of placement. Given the 25 possible screen display outcomes, this specifically prevents any synchronized efforts to create one consistent, single promotion that spans across all five spaces.

Another constraint I tweeted about with Washington Post Live intern and Media Bistro 10,000 Words blogger Kevin Loker concerned what happens next when an image is clicked. Images that are larger in scale than the exact size displayed on a fan page’s main wall will create an off-centered image when viewed on the wall. However, not enlarging the image means that it will remain that smaller size once it is clicked on. Deciding how to proceed given both constraints largely depends on personal preference.

As Facebook makes further advances, these factors will hopefully be taken into account and these problems may dissolve themselves over time. Until then, we are not the only ones who aren’t letting that stop us from experimenting. Kevin tagged me in on another conversation where USA Today College also had some fun with the new upgrades this past Friday.

When using these types of promotions for fan pages it is important to do so ethically and legally. Be familiar with the Facebook Advertising Guidelines.

Want to know more about the process that went into creating SPJ’s new Facebook promotions? Read a more in-depth entry by following this link to the SPJ headquarters blog where you can learn about the behind the scenes perspectives that went into this project - the ideas, failed concept work and a sneak peek at our next series of promotions.

Basic Principles: The Hitch Factor

2011-02-05T21:20:00.012-06:00

Last night I decided to watch one of my favorite movies, Hitch. The 2005 comedy is about matchmaker Alex Hitchens’ (Will Smith) behind the scenes work to help hopeless romantic Albert Brennaman (Kevin James) win the heart of society heiress Allegra Cole. With an energetic storyline, fluid comedic timing and jazzy soundtrack, Hitch is one of the few movies I find worth watching on a yearly basis.

Fun Fact: The opening credits sequence displaying the title for the film inspired the banner for this blog.

But it was not until recently that I was able to appreciate the film for its positive, underlying inspiration for public relations and marketing professionals. So what gives a practitioner the Hitch factor?

Hitch’s own techniques focus on brand management for guys hoping to get the girl of their dreams. And no marketing strategy is successful without comprehensive research of your brand’s target audience.

For Hitch, his research involves understanding important social dating techniques to better connect those audiences and his clients. Depending on the target audience (Allegra in this instance) it is important that PR practitioners should do concentrated research to understand what key messages most interest an audience and will better connect them with a brand (Albert in this instance).

Of course, the fundamental cornerstone of Hitch’s strategy is client confidentiality and trust. Practitioners should always safeguard critical information about their clients and conduct their work in a discrete, professional manner.

“My business is 100 percent referral and thus far untraceable. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned when you orchestrate, coordinate and otherwise mess with fate, it’s best to fly under the radar.” - Hitch

Hitch understands that secrecy is an important part of public relations but he also knows that it should never override ethics and the public interest.

Strong ethical standards are always an important component to being a successful public relations practitioner. Hitch’s own moral compass is showcased often through his sense of compassion and understanding. Early on in the film, he asserts his standards and refuses to work with chauvinist Vance Munson as a client. “Hit it and quit it is not my game.” -Hitch

Passionate PR professionals care about and protect their brands from misperception and falsehoods. Hitch does this while also emphasizing his ethical principles when he later clarifies his association with Albert to Allegra. “My job is not to deceive Ms. Cole. It’s to create opportunities.” - Hitch

Promoting a brand also requires positive energy and confidence. Hitch does so with an air of savoir faire about him. He highlights this quality often through the use of constructive quotes.

“Basic principles: No matter what, no matter when, no matter who, any man has a chance to sweep any woman off her feet. He just needs the right broom.” - Hitch

“Like I always tell my clients - begin each day as if it were on purpose.” - Hitch

“Always remember, life is not the amount of breathes you take. It’s the moments that take your breath away.” - Hitch

“Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.” - Hitch

Did you happen to notice the recurring theme in the last two quotes? Catch phrases and slogans are an important part of marketing - even when branding your personal self. Do so eloquently and before you know it, you'll achieve the Hitch factor.

Of course, if Hitch isn't your Jerry McGuire, then maybe you and PR pro Mike Schaffer share the same role model. I hear the guy is “Legen - wait for - Dary! Legendary!”

Building Strong Social Media Guidelines

2011-01-29T16:15:00.023-06:00

It is no secret that the growing causes of most crisis PR moments in the past decade were a result of poor social media comprehension. Preventing these disasters proactively should be a major part of any integrated communication and reputation management strategy. That is why it is incredibly important for organizations and companies to develop and implement strong social media policies and guidelines to help safeguard their brand and employees.

It is also important to understand that having social media guidelines is not just critical in regard to reputation management and clarifying gray legal areas. There are many different considerations that should go into guidelines. To begin with, they should be a means of encouragement for employees to help promote and strengthen brands.

Right now I find myself tasked with developing more comprehensive social media guidelines for my own organization. The difference between the Society of Professional Journalists and most entities is that the non-profit organizational structure within SPJ means that the majority of our social media participants are volunteers rather than employees. Because of this, special care is being taken into consideration for writing the content of these guidelines. I'm making a point to seek as much advice as possible to create the best language to help our volunteers adapt to and implement these needed procedures.

When creating your own social media guidelines, it is best to research a wide selection of different examples to help you understand what best reflects your own organizational needs. Working on this project for the past few weeks has taught me a lot about different types of policies and I want to share some of the online resources that were a huge benefited for me throughout the process.

Social Media Governance Database - Includes more than 100 different social media policies for a wide spectrum of different companies, organizations and other entities.

How to Deal With Haters and Potty Mouths on Your Newsroom’s Facebook Page - From Journalistics, I loved this article not only for its insightful quality of content focused on Facebook but also because of its light-hearted nature.

10 Must-Haves for Your Social Media Policy - From Mashable, this handy list focuses on what it refers to as the most important aspect of writing guidelines, to better engage target audiences.

On a final note of consideration, a strong policy should make a point to reflect the transformative nature of social media. From Facebook to Twitter, who knows how the next form of communications vehicle will take shape. Even once titans such as Myspace can begin to fall over time as the way we use the Internet continuously evolves.

It is a changing new world online and a strong, durable set of guidelines are just the foundation blocks to helping your brand expand and maintain a positive reputation.

Down the Road Less Traveled

2011-01-08T17:19:00.013-06:00

A year past. A year ahead. Ambition will lead me...

It may come eight days after the fact but, Happy New Year! I know mine has certainly been exciting and already filled with new challenges.

For me, 2010 was quite a year. The remaining days of my college tenure were filled with many achievements including creating, developing and implementing a student government debate; leading my chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and awards recognition for my creation of a public service PR campaign. I also came across a few failures along the way.

After graduating I found myself working in one of the best possible entry-level jobs I could ask for with the Society of Professional Journalists. Stationed at its national headquarters in Indianapolis, the past few months have been an incredible benefit in developing my PR, marketing and media relations experience. Even more, it's given me the opportunity to be an important part of a non-profit organization that is devoted to improving and protecting journalism and the First Amendment.

I was lucky to once sit on the front row of a presentation featuring NBC Nightly News Anchor Tom Brokaw when he said "You cannot let this forum go away. If you lose journalism, you'll lose the essence of the republic." Even in the turmoil journalism has faced over the past decade, I still have hope for its changing future and the Society is a part of that.

My blog has also continued to improve over the past few months. And for all of those who tweeted, shared and commented on "35 Big Twitter Hashtags for PR Pros," it is both a humbling and thankful experience to know it has been such a useful resource helping many students and practitioners. Thank you for sharing with me.

So here I am at a New Year - 2011. And no yearly beginning is complete without resolutions to hold one's self accountable by!

My Resolutions:

I will continue to adhere to strong ethical standards in the practice of public relations while working to expand my knowledge and experience beyond my current capabilities.

(Well that first one was easy. Let's just call it my "mission statement" resolution. Now how about some "meat and potatoes" resolutions that are a little more"objective" based.)
I will fully participate in a minimum of 10 PR related Twitter chats in this list of 13 by Petya N. Georgieva by the end of December 2011.

I will increase both the quality and yearly quantity of the entries here on my blog to better enhance my professional experiences and service to other PR professionals with a minimum of 20 posts by the end of December 2011.

I will officially pursue an APR accreditation while improving my fundamental knowledge of communications theory and its application in the field to better serve clients, the public and the PR profession by the end of September 2011.

I have to admit that the last resolution was honestly the scariest one to write out loud. The APR is an important asset that is the nation's only post-graduate certification program. Studying for this accreditation is an intense and time consuming process that takes patience. Nevertheless, the benefits will help in my career enhancement and promote lifelong learning.

It's important to believe in goals but saying them out loud is what breathes life into them and makes them real. No success is ever achieved without ambition and faith in yourself. I certainly would not have had such an incredible year in 2010 if not for that philosophy.

Where will your ambitions take you this year?

35 Big Twitter Hashtags for PR Pros

2010-11-20T15:27:00.033-06:00

Twitter is an exciting place for new and seasoned PR professionals to come together and share ideas and opportunities in the profession. The key to optimizing your Twitter experience is to take advantage of its hashtag resource which links related topics together with a simple # at the beginning of a word, acronym or phrase.

Over the past few days, I've researched some of the top PR related hashtags and their benefits. For the new Tweeters out there, or those still thinking about taking the plunge, I hope you'll take advantage of these 35 big Twitter hashtags for PR pros!

Most Common:
#PR – Obviously one of the two most encompassing tags, it's the most optimal for 140 character tweets. Great for mixed industry related posts.
#publicrelations – This tag may be the same concept as #PR, but the tweet results are hardly the same. Great for mixed industry related posts.

Practice & Expertise Focused:
#branding – Lessons for #corporate or #smallbiz related work.
#personalbranding – Perfect for learning to promote your self.
#mediarelations – Helps develop stronger relations with news media
#reputationmanagement – Tips/case studies for building and maintaining reputations.
#marketing – Industry news and strategies.
#crisismanagement – Trends, strategies and case examples of good/bad crisis work.
#CrisisPR – Like #PR/publicrelations, this tag is just as effective while diverse.
#publicity – Often sporadic in content value when searched, the worth while tweets make up the difference.
#advertising – Great techniques and trends.

Social Media Focused:
#socialmedia – Great for most trends and strategies for social media.
#SM – A second social media tag.
#digitalmarketing – Great for emphasis trends, news and some job opportunities.
#SEO – Search Engine Optimization related content.
#SMO – Social Media Optimization related content.
#smcedu – Weekly chat (Mondays, 9:30 am PST) devoted to ensuring that college grads are media literate and capable of applying emerging lessons from social media in organizations.

PR Jobs:
#prjobs – The definite way to find career opportunities and advice.
#prjob – Despite the one character difference, the opportunities and advice often vary.
#EntryPR – A specifically important tag for finding entry level jobs that are available and additional advice.
#happo – Help A PR Pro Out constantly provides job seeking advice, internships, and job opportunities with a focus on networking. The next organized chat will be on Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 8-9 pm CT.

Professional Development:
#PRadvice – A pretty wide spectrum of content with direct advice tweets and URL links.
#prtips – A pretty wide spectrum of content with direct advice tweets and URL links.
#pr20chat – Weekly chat (Tuesdays, 8 pm EST) discussing public relations social media related issues for the future.
#u30pro – Weekly chat (Thursdays, 8 pm EST) focusing on issues surrounding PR professionals under 30.
#solopr – Weekly chat (Wednesdays, 1 pm EST) designed for independent PR professionals and those interested in learning more about this career emphasis.
#measurepr – Bi-weekly chat (Tuesdays since 2/2/10, 12-1 pm ET) focusing on all things measurement in public relations and social media measurement too.
#brandChat – Weekly chat (Wednesdays, 11 a.m. EST) with focused topics about branding and marketing strategies.

PR Students:
#PRstudents – Mostly for building student's credentials and a frequent source for internships.
#prstudchat – Monthly chat (different days and times) focused on students and professionals coming together to share thoughts.
#PRintern – Learn about current student internships that are available.
#prssa – The Public Relations Student Society of America.

PR Organizations:
#prsa – The Public Relations Society of America.

Journalism Related:
#journalism – Great for most journalism related posts.
#journchat – Weekly chat (Mondays, 7 pm CT) between journalists, bloggers and PR pros.

2nd Street Baking Co. Against the Mayhem

2010-11-18T17:29:00.016-06:00

Two weeks ago a justice was served in the name of copyright protection as the Internet made clear its stance on infringement. This came after blogger Monica Gaudio posted a scathing e-mail from New England based Cooks Source editor Judith Griggs claiming the blogger's unpaid article in the magazine was "public domain."

But there are two sides to every coin. The Internet tirade quickly engulfed the unknowing advertisers of Cooks Source into its rage. To quote the website, How Publishing Really Works, "You can't release the hounds and then expect them to behave like lap-dogs."

The businesses that were listed as the magazine's advertisers were pummelled throughout the next few days with angry calls, emails and threats to boycott. But one small town bakery somehow managed to succeed where even some large, corporate businesses have often failed in this situation; with an effective and timely crisis communications strategy.

2nd Street Baking Co. is a custom style bakery in the village of Turners Falls, MA. The business has been open now for three years under owners Christa Snyder and Laura Puchalski. Laura first learned about the scandal at approximately 1:30 to 2pm that Thursday, just as the story was breaking online. The baking company's email account began receiving dozens of emails from people all over the country as well as Australia and Canada.

According to Laura, most of the angry e-mailers had copied a form letter that was posted on Facebook to notify the Cooks Source advertisers that they were "supporting plagiarism" by advertising with the publication. The message threatened to boycott their company and its products unless 2nd Street chose to pull their advertisements. Other emails were more brazen and offensive with lines like "how dare you support Cooks Source."

Laura immediately logged on to Facebook to find out more. Seeing the numerous posts on the Cooks Source fan page and researching about the story, she became deeply concerned about the quality of the publication 2nd Street Baking Co. was supporting.

"Not only do we disagree with the way Monica's work was used without her permission, I worried that the association with Cooks Source would negatively impact our business," Laura told me in our email correspondence.

What does it take for a small home-owned business to fight against the mayhem? Engage your audience on their playing field. Within minutes of learning about the situation, Laura began to post a public statement on Facebook that they were pulling their ads.

"As an advertiser, we are disappointed in Cook's Source as we are pulling our ads from this publication. Many of us (as is the case with our business) paid several months in advance for advertising and are unlikely to get any compensation back. We ask that you please stop emailing our business, we agree that the publication made a grave error, but the blame should be placed with them. Please do not make small businesses like mine pay for their error in judgment. "
- Laura Puchalski
(2nd Street Baking Co.)

Laura then continued to post the statement about every 20 to 30 minutes for the first few hours on the Cooks Source Facebook page, with an additional posting on the bakery's Facebook page as well. She also began posting on Cooks Source's Facebook "Discussions" page where new threads would start-up like "Cooks Source Advertisers List."

"As I posted that we had pulled our ads, I would get dozens of responses immediately and the emails would slow down," Laura said. "Then as the statement got pushed further down the page and lost in the sea of other angry posts, the emails would start up again and I would have to post again."

In Laura's research, she discovered that Neil Gaiman had posted something about Cooks Source. She then used the bakery's Twitter account to respond to him in hopes that his 1.5 million followers would pass along the message that they had distanced ourselves from the publication.

"He did help us out in that respect, and also made a donation to the Food Bank of Western MA, which we very much appreciate," Laura said. "We were getting a huge response from people wanting to send us money to compensate our lost advertising dollars, or requests to order products from us in support of us pulling our ads.

Because 2nd Street could not ship most of their products and they did not feel it was morally right on their part to accept money from people, the owner's instead asked for support by donations to the local food bank.

Laura received an email response that evening from Griggs, confirming that the bakery's ads would be removed.

"I have tremendous respect for the power of the Internet!" Laura said. "It can be an extremely useful tool for promoting your business and communicating with your current and potential customers. Unfortunately it can also ruin you, as evidenced by the situation with Cooks Source."

2nd Street Bakery's story is a positive light where others have quickly fallen victim to this kind of chaos. So what public relations strategies can small businesses take away from the experience of 2nd Street Baking Co.?

Research your dilemma:

Make sure you know ALL the facts
Appoint a spokesperson who will serve as the point of contact between your business and the media
Identify key audiences - your local consumers, employees, the media and the Internet
Develop a communications strategy - including your plan of tactics

Take action in a crisis:

Act quickly to resolve the dilemma
Tell the truth
Don't editorialize
Be accessible to the press and other publics
Show compassion
Update your message as frequently as you can

I also asked Laura to weigh in on what she learned from this experience. In her own words:

First and foremost, remaining calm is always best. It is never a good idea to communicate from a place of anger, confusion, or fear. Keeping calm allows you to really think about what is happening around you and decide what the best approach to take for your business really is.
Acting fast to minimize the impact to your business is also helpful, and respecting your customers (and potential customers) and their feelings is important.
Knowing that the Internet is a powerful force of positive and negative publicity for your business is also important. It is the fastest way to reach the multitudes and get your messages across. In this instance, it is where this was all taking place so it was also the logical place to communicate our position.
And always be as professional as possible!

I also discussed an additional tactic with Christa and Laura that they agreed small businesses should consider.

Use your email to your advantage in this situation. Most email providers include an automated reply message that users can program in their absence. For a small business under the gun from a continuous number of emails, utilizing this means of response will save a lot of time and emotion while helping to quickly spread your message. It will also create less of a disruption for your limited resources.

As a continuing student of the public relations craft, my sincerest respect goes out to Laura and the people of 2nd Street Baking Co. for their inspiring work. It's not often people talk about the crisis communications scenarios that go right but theirs is certainly one worth telling.

The Curious Case of Cooks Source and Poor Reputation Management

2010-11-07T20:47:00.033-06:00

The Internet set to flames this past Thursday when New England based Cooks Source Magazine became the center of a copyright infringement and plagiarism controversy with blogger, Monica Gaudio. It's become an epic tale of rightful justice and poor reputation management under crisis.

After Gaudio discovered that the magazine had published a piece she had written about apple pie without her permission, she contacted the publication requesting an apology as well as a $130 (10 cents per word for her 1300 word article) donation to the Columbia School of Journalism.

Enter the now infamous editor Judith Griggs and her response to Gaudio:

But honestly Monica, the web is considered "public domain" and you should be happy we just didn't "lift" your whole article and put someone else's name on it! It happens a lot, clearly more than you are aware of, especially on college campuses, and the workplace. If you took offence and are unhappy, I am sorry, but you as a professional should know that the article we used written by you was in very bad need of editing, and is much better now than was originally. Now it will work well for your portfolio. For that reason, I have a bit of a difficult time with your requests for monetary gain, albeit for such a fine (and very wealthy!) institution. We put some time into rewrites, you should compensate me! I never charge young writers for advice or rewriting poorly written pieces, and have many who write for me... ALWAYS for free!"

Following the Nov. 4 Internet explosion upon the Facebook page of Cooks Source Magazine, Griggs allegedly wrote:

"Hi Folks!
Well, here I am with egg on my face! I did apologise to Monica via email, but aparently it wasnt enough for her. To all of you, thank you for your interest in Cooks Source and Again, to Monica, I am sorry -- my bad!You did find a way to get your "pound of flesh..." we used to have 110 "friends," we now have 1,870... wow!
Best to all, Judith"

And in what continues to reflect the lame duck communications of Cooks Source Magazine, the publication has released a statement on their website. The 862 word apology mostly focuses on the Magazine's own personal "victimization." Due to its length, I've highlighted two select portions of the statement relevant to this entry. You can read the full apology here.

"We have cancelled our Facebook page on Thursday, November 4th, 2010 at 6:00PM. It has since been since been hacked by unknown parties and now someone else unknown to us has control of it. Their inclusion of Cooks Source issues and photos is used without our knowledge or consent. Please know that none of the statements made by either Cooks Source or Judith Griggs were made by either our staff or her...

...Last month an article, “American as Apple Pie -- Isn’t,” was placed in error in Cooks Source, without the approval of the writer, Monica Gaudio. We sincerely wish to apologize to her for this error, it was an oversight of a small, overworked staff."

And thus, a simple analysis while highlighting a few very simple lessons to take away from this mishap. The first applies to anyone in the communications field:

Rule #1 (And the Golden Rule I might add): Don't plagiarize and know your copyright laws. As a business entity, constantly work to ensure high standards of ethical and legal business practices among all employees. Place additional emphasis on teaching proper decision making scenarios to apply their legal knowledge in. Apparently Cooks Source Magazine couldn't seem to grasp the simple logic of copyright law and it cost them.

Next, is the issue of social engagement with your publics.

Rule #2: Have a set policy for all employees when handling internal and external communications. Never assume emails are private. Once the information you publish is "sent," it's out there and anything can happen with that content. I think the Steve Jobs v. Chelsea Kate Isaacs incident gives some additional background into that principle.

Rule #3 (Also making Rule #2 obsolete): Be professional at all times when conducting all communications with your publics. This is where Griggs truly fails. Rather than acknowledging her mistake and diffusing the situation, she chooses to take a highly demeaning standpoint towards Monica. In her editorializing, Griggs also reveals her huge lack of understanding copyright infringement. The two factors, arrogance and ignorance, would only add fuel to the fire. As a rule of thumb, avoid writing aggressive, defensive responses.

Now what do you do when a reputation management crisis hits?

Rule # 4: Silence is not golden. Under crisis, engage your audience and publics. An important strategy to this rule would be to pre-develop protocol and train key communicators on how to actively and positively combat negative engagement online. Once the Cooks Source blaze took off, nothing "official" would be heard from Cooks Source Magazine for six days. Six days is a long time in the realm of the Internet. Aside from the Facebook status update from Griggs, the magazine would not respond to any media inquiry, including my own on behalf of the Society of Professional Journalists.

In a recent article on integrated marketing communications, I highlighted a very dangerous aspect that some "brands without efficient response to this form of dialog within the past year have in turn suffered drastically negative exposure at the hands of consumer social media." The same holds true for Cooks Source Magazine. Not responding only lead to further suspicion across the media and Internet.

Timeliness is everything.

Much like the Tiger Woods affair scandal, Cooks Source Magazine's withdrawal from public communication only lead to further investigations like that of journalist/blogger Ed Champion, revealing that the publication had repeatedly used copyrighted material from other outlets and personalities such as NPR, Paula Dean and the Food Network.

Rule # 5: Don't Editorialize. Be short and factual. I already mentioned this in Rule #2 but it honestly needs it's own rule. If your company or organization finds itself in an a difficult situation, it's best to know when to disengage from editorializing and instead focus on straight-forward statements.

Cooks Source not only takes on a role of personal victimization, but it also tries to assume an authoritative stance in the "official" statement. Cooks Source takes to condemning the "disreputable" internet for attacking them while "protecting" the advertisers of Cooks Source, the small businesses and farms in area that rely on Cooks Source and even, Gaudio? (From the Cooks Source Statement: The misuse of Facebook discussed above also applies to Ms. Gaudio: she did what she felt was the right thing, and doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment, either.)

Unless something is missing here, no mass congregation of the Internet has taken to attacking Gaudio. Of course, taking Cooks Source's above rationale into perspective, the running Facebook meme "But honestly Monica, (insert something ridiculous about Cooks Source)" might be misunderstood as an attack on the blogger rather than the obvious attack on Judith Griggs.

Further editorializing while inadvertently trying to draw attention elsewhere, the statement goes on to back-hand Facebook when referencing their corporate number.

"Interestingly, this phone number and any other contact info is not listed on the Facebook site, and has taken four people a number of days to track down."

(Note: It took one me less than two minutes to find the same contact numbers via Google search...)

Prior to that comment, the publication identifies their Facebook page being "hacked" and "someone else unknown to us has control of it." Aside from the Griggs Facebook quote above (predating the 6 p.m. cancellation on that date), no such hacking has truly taken place. This further indicates that Cooks Source is either ignorant of how the Internet, Facebook and social media works, or they could just be lying.

If the magazine had merely published strait forward facts, none of these assumptions would be in question. This brings us to the last rule.

Rule #6: Just tell the truth. By the time readers finally arrive at the "apology" segment of the statement, Cooks Source disclaims that the article by Monica was "placed in error" due to the "oversight of a small, overworked staff." Not only is this editorializing, it's makes excuses and takes a lack of responsibility. This case is hardly an "oversight" if reflecting the number of additional infringement cases that have surfaced as a result.

The Magazine's statement that their Facebook account was "hacked" with the inclusion of Cooks Source issues and photos without their knowledge or consent is also missing a few key points in their logic. A closer look at any one of the aforementioned issues and photos will reveal Facebook publication dates going back months prior to any alleged hacking.

The curious case of Cooks Source Magazine is definitely a paradigm shift in a positive direction for copyright protection on the "world wild web" and an encompassing example of what not to do when it comes to crisis communications.

My Love of Books

2010-09-08T19:27:00.012-05:00

Last week I suddenly realized that it has been a while since I have written anything of personal note as an entry. Keeping with my philosophy that public relations is a "personal-connective" way of life, I would like to share one of the great facets into my very "odd" brain.

I love books! I always have!

When I was in the fifth grade, my school participated in the Accelerated Reader program. Even at that age, reading intrigued me and inspired my imagination. Unfortunately the teachers then really didn't try to engage what each individual student's true reading potential was and decided we all should start at the fifth grade level.

By sheer fate, I didn't realize this proclamation and instead picked up an 8.5 grade reading level book, "The Voyages of Dr. Doolittle." My teacher was shocked when she discovered what book I had picked up, but she let me continue as I was already half-way through reading it at the time. She was even more shocked when I scored 95% on the book's exam. She readily adjusted my reading level.

At the end of sixth-grade I was ranked second in my class under the Accelerated Reader program, behind an old friend of mine, Katie Moss, who is now pursuing a master's in English Lit. Third in the rankings was Zack Ray, a football player in high school who most of my classmates don't realize is actually still smarter than they are now. Why I remember this statistic, who knows, but I do.

Random Fact: My parents once owned a bookstore in Brookhaven, Miss. called Mullen & Scott Booksellers.

I have also slowly collected my own personal library over the past few years. It is comprised of leather bound, hard back and autographed editions of classics and other books of my fancy. Most of them I've read. Others, are what I would like to jokingly call a "retirement investment."

As a living list to be periodically updated, I would like to share what I have collected so far...

The Personal Library of Andrew M. Scott

Daniel Defoe: Five Novels
Jules Verne: Seven Novels
H.G. Wells: Seven Novels
The Chronicles of Narnia (complete, one book)
The Looking Glass Wars, Seeing Redd and Arch Enemy
Charles Dickens: Four Complete Novels
Wicked and Son of a Witch (one book)
The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll
The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Gone with the Wind
To Kill a Mockingbird (40th Anniversary)
Lord of the Flies (50th Anniversary)
The Divine Comedy
Bulfinch's Mythology
The Iliad and the Odyssey
Gray's Anatomy
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide
The Art of War
Relativity - Einstein
Meditations - Aurelius
The Race Beat ~
Schulz and Peanuts (Biography)
The Wine Guide
Thomas Jefferson on Wine - John Hailman ~
Planet of the Apes
Arabian Knights
Jack London: Three Novels
Bikeman - Thomas Flynn ~
Mark Twain: Five Novels
Treasure Island
Carl Sandburg: Selected Poems
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Dr. Zhivago
Citizen Hearst
The Lord of the Rings (one book, 50th Anniversary)
Plato: The Republic and other works
The Audacity of Hope
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
The Reagan Diaries
The Last of the Mohicans
Ben-Hur
The Max Lucado Christmas Collection
Stephen Colbert - I Am America And So Can You
The Complete Frank Miller Batman
One Nation - America Remembers September 11, 2001
New York Days - Willie Morris ~
Richard Wright: Daemonic Genius - Margaret Walker ~

Key:
BOLD (Leather bound) ~ (Signed by Author)
Last updated: Nov. 12, 2010

And I still have a couple of other "hit list" books currently on my mind- The Assasination of Abraham Lincoln: a Tribute of the Nations, Herman Melville: Five Novels, Jane Austen: Seven Novels, The Hobbit, The Complete Grimms Fairytales.

Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you found this random bit of information interesting in some way as a personal insight into who I am. If anything, "you stay classy!"

Let's Get Down to Business

2010-08-29T15:47:00.020-05:00

During the past two years of my undergraduate education, lecturers and educators collectively told me that the key to starting a public relations career was to "get a minor in business!" It's a warning I heeded very fast and despite the inconvenience of a business minor then, the benefits are starting to make sense now.

I have had three PR professionals to tell me how important it is to obtain this background. The first was FedEx's Manager of Social Responsibility, Rose Jackson Flenorl, who I invited as a guest speaker at Ole Miss once. The second was PR legend and Burson-Marsteller founder, Harold Burson, who I was lucky enough to meet at a special speaking engagement. My third person to identify the importance of the business minor was Ellen Hartman, president of the Atlanta office of Weber Shandwick, during a personal resume critique.

Some PR majors obtain their degree or emphasis from a journalism, communications, or media school (or department). On the flip-side, other PR majors may obtain their degrees from a business school. From my view of the journalism and business programs offered at my university, the choice of which path to pursue is subjective to the individual.

But one fact is for certain - each area of study needs the other. Journalism/PR majors need a minor in business and Business/PR majors need a minor in journalism to better their communications skills.

As for myself, I chose the journalism route because of my belief that it included a more personal communications technique to public relations. But that did not deter me from making business my minor. In fact, I went on to take additional classes in the business school to include business law and honors calculus because I'm such a glutton for punishment.

Most business minors emphasize classes in the core marketing, management, economics and accounting aspects of business. All off these elements will benefit a PR career.

In my first job, I'm already implementing the techniques learned through my marketing principles course and now better understand both the macro and micro economic patterns that influence the economy. And someday, when I find myself in an upper-level position, the management and accounting course work will serve their purpose in leading project teams and preparing budgets.

So do English and history minors have a prayer in PR?

Despite the advice of the PR all-stars previously mentioned above, most of my PR counterparts in the journalism school continue to seek minors in English and history. These minors can actually provide hefty support depending on your passion in public relations.

History minors can enjoy very exciting careers working for various museums and historical societies. And English minors have a leading edge when applying for publishing companies and copy editing positions with firms.

But these are very niche areas of public relations and the pursuit of these must come with a passion for the territory. These minors will otherwise serve little purpose in the corporate world of business entities and PR/Marketing firms.

How about a Political Science minor?

A political science minor would serve to benefit those looking to go into the government sector of PR. In fact, the political science minor is second only to the business minor in the hierarchy.

This area of expertise can expand from local, regional to national government work. When using the Vocus on-demand marketing software, your communications options fall under PR or GR (government relations) software.

So in short; go for the business minor. It may be overbearing at times but the education is worth it. We live in a business centric world and given today's increasing competition for PR jobs, a business minor will help propel you above the competition.

The Hunt: Interviews & the Secret Sauce

2010-07-19T22:36:00.011-05:00

Through this short series, we've "Re-covered the Basics" and looked at "Concurring the Digital Realm." Now what factor is it that's going to help you land that dream job in public relations?

It's a simple principle, even though it seems to be looked over by most entry-level candidates, and it all starts with the interview.

Interviews & the Secret Sauce...

Getting your foot in the door with a firm or organization is a tough first step; however, the interview process will make or break your chances of getting the job you're after.

Interview Basics Check List:

The Look

Professional Business Attire (first appearances DO matter, be conservative)

Laptop and briefcase (with tabs already pulled up to display your online portfolio)

Physical portfolio (just in case you need it)

Notepad portfolio (with a pen, handout samples of your work, and that business card we talked about)

The Talk

Be open and honest about your skills (and how they will benefit the position you are seeking)

Be observant and create a personal connection with your interviewer

Don't be afraid to ask questions about the job and the firm (it shows your interest)

Keep eye contact (it shows confidence)

Other than this short check list, it's best to check out other tips you can find online. My personal favorites for PR interviews are "5 interview tips to get you the job" by Marisa D'Vari and CVTips PR job interview tips. You should also prepare a list of frequent interview questions to help study by.

Can you hear me now?

In the words of the How I Met Your Mother television character, Barney Stinson, "Suit UP!" even if your interview is over the phone. Phone interviews limit a lot of your presentation. Wearing your professional attire affects your inner psyche and helps build a sense of confidence. And that confidence carries in the tone of your voice, which is important in this situation. My interview for my now job at the Society of Professional Journalists was held over the phone while I was wearing a suit.

Other MAJOR phone interview tips:

Make sure you are in a comfortable, quite location
Internet access is a plus
Phone reception is IMPERATIVE (For me, living in Mississippi at the time with AT&T as a provider was hazardous to the interview process so it was pretty important to find a location with stable service)
Post your resume in front of you

The Super Secret Sauce!!

Passion...

Yes, PASSION! The greatest weapon you can possess in you professional arsenal is passion! Its influence effects everyone around you. If you're not passionate about the job and firm you are applying for, then there is little reason to apply for the position to begin with. My passion for SPJ's mission and the objectives that the communications coordinator position required is what gave me the true edge during my interview with SPJ's Executive Director Joe Skeel and Director of Communications Scott Leadingham. It set me apart from the other highly qualified candidates and got me the job.

You don't have to over do it but don't be afraid to express why you want the position you're applying for, why you want to work in that field/industry and what you do to further your knowledge (books, blogs you read). The more informed you are the more impressive you'll look.

And (if asked) it's OK to share other goals you plan for yourself; personally and professionally. Having aspirations makes you a true asset and influence in helping to build upon a firm or organization's business model.

So there you have it. These are the factors that helped me in finding my first great public relations job. I hope these tips have helped to give you a new sense of perspective and I wish you all the best in the pursuit of your job.

Happy "hunting!"

The Master of Persuasion

2010-07-19T22:30:00.006-05:00

This past year, 2009, marked the bicentennial birth of one of America's greatest presidents and in remembrance, I want to take reflection of the works of Abraham Lincoln.

President Lincoln was charged with one of the most devastatingly difficult moments in U.S. history- the Civil War. In his hands, he found the strength to bring together a divided nation in its darkest moments. By many historians, Lincoln is considered to be the greatest American president. He will always be mine.

To understand the impact of Lincoln's legacy is to examine his views on the subject of public opinion, and to study the techniques he used to influence it.

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts."- Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln understood that public opinion is everything and it drove an ethical center in his presidency. He also knew that to shape that public opinion would take the fine art of persuasion.

He recognized that bold new ideas needed time and patience to become accepted as "inevitable." Even with drastic change, Lincoln still gave the people time, announcing the immanent issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation 100 days before hand rather than a bold immediate implementation of the act.

He also understood the principle of being forthright with the public. Persuasion, in Lincoln's view, did not include concealment in areas of disagreement. His listeners were entitled to know exactly where he stood, even if they did not agree.

Lincoln's eloquent use of language was profound and his rhetoric figures of irony, metaphor and extended metaphor reflected the styling of both the King James Bible and the works of Shakespeare. In your spare time, I highly recommend reading the series of articles by ClimateProgress.org's Joe Romm, detailing the precision of Lincoln's work in these styles. It is a wonderful view into the mind of our greatest president.

Lincoln's mastery of language, inspiring determination and faith in us all are the same principles any public relations practitioner should live by. Thank you, Mr. President.

The Hunt: Concurring the Digital Realm

2010-06-28T20:16:00.010-05:00

Last time we recovered the essentials to finding that first great PR job. This post will give you insight to cracking that ice-cold barrier of online job applications on the internet and the importance to social networking.

Concurring the Digital Realm...

And we have contact!

One problem may be that you find yourself lost in the vast void that is online resume applications. In a world where personal connections and references still hold influence, these applications are easily passed over - given they present little insight into how strong your talents really are. Getting past this phase is half the battle. What you want is to create a personal connection between you and the employer.

After filling out a firm's online form, take the time to learn the name of the position's branch president (or HR manager) as well as their contact email.

Once you do, choose this as your moment to introduce the quality of what you have to offer. Your email should reference both the position you are applying for and the fact that you have filled out the online application. Doing so will let the person know that you can both follow instructions and are willing to stand out of the monotony.

Treat your email as if it is a variation of your cover letter. Briefly explain why you want the position and why you are qualified. A bonus to sending an email is that you can include some samples of your work (but not overwhelmingly) that otherwise can't be attached to an online application. Use this time to attach your actual cover letter, resume, references, etc. A bonus to sending an email is that you can provide hyperlinks to some of your online work (i.e. portfolio, twitter, blog).

But the greatest opportunity in introducing yourself through email is that it provides you with the chance to show off your creative side. Use what you already know about the firm to your advantage. When applying for an entry level account coordinator position with Current Lifestyle Marketing, I used their quirky biography pages from the firm's website to create my own bio that I put into a word document and attached to my introductory email to the firm's president, Virginia Devlin. I also used the website's phrase, "creative thinker with analytical tendencies" as an opening line before the rest of the body of the email.

Within the next day I received both an email from Virginia and a phone call from Current's HR to arrange an interview with the company!

For an online job posting with New York Business Partners, a marketing firm in NYC, their leading headline was "Ninjas Wanted!" My response email included the headline "Ninja at Your Service" and the opening line "Not just a ninja!... But a half robot, space cowboy!" After a day I received an email requesting a preliminary interview.

Get Social, Networking that is!

Professionally, the way we present our brand messages is changing to include an IMC technique that involves a demand for consumer engagement. As the new staple, having a common knowledge of social networking sites is paramount.

To get socially engaged, look to create your own blog and learn new ways to promote it to friends and colleagues. Get LinkedIn and actively tweet on Twitter. While you are at it, join a social network; preferably one like PROpenMic that will help you to better develop your PR skills by interacting with industry professionals, professors and other young PR students like you. Whatever you do, make your experiences help to establish YOUR personal brand as something desirable to employers.

Many student practitioners at the university I graduated from question the effectiveness of being so involved online. This attitude seems perverse considering this is the most tech savvy generation to-date. Some students only participate in blogs because professor's have required it as part of class projects, and the lack of enthusiasm shows.

The question of whether being involved with social networks directly provides job opportunities is only part of the game. Every firm I've applied with has asked me about my experiences with social media and how I've used it to my advantage. So while the rest of your peers are pawning-off a very crucial part of where the PR profession is going, this is your chance to impress your future employers that what you have to offer are fresh, involved perspectives that will benefit you and the firm.
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We've taken care of the online hurtle in the hunt for your great PR job. In my last blog entry, we'll look at "Interviews and the Secret Sauce." You'll be surprised at what it really takes.

The Hunt: Back to Basics

2010-06-21T11:56:00.012-05:00

Today's job market is a scary place. Entry level positions for graduates are scarce and tough to fight for. For me, I have been through three phone interviews, three face-to-face interviews, and countless job post emails and application forms. When facing so much, one has to wonder, "What can I do to give me an edge?" So here are the first in a series of creative tips that have helped me in breaking barriers to get my first big PR job!

Back to Basics...

Is your resume the right resume?

So you are on your way, diploma in hand and your resume is ready to print, email, fax, etc. As a public relations student; the business, communications or journalism school may have told you that one specific resume type is the preferred format. In reality, every firm or corporation is different. In public relations, the two formats that will best serve you are the objective and summary style resumes. Both will serve very different purposes in presenting your job qualifications.

This was a lesson I learned while doing a critique interview with Ellen Hartman, president of the Atlanta office of Weber Shandwick. Having more than one style of resume ready will show that you think ahead and are prepared for any situation.

The 21st Century Portfolio

Now let's take a look at your portfolio. That hard, leather binder with all of your written materials is great insurance during your face-to-face interview, but to really show off your up-to-date creative skills, you are going to need a digital portfolio website.

"Don't Panic!" -the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

This may seem a daunting idea at first but believe me, the key to creating a great online portfolio is time, patience and the use of what resources are comfortable for you. My online portfolio took an average of three very intensive months to create. I also used creative thinking to rearrange the elements of the Blogspot blog system to design it into an appropriate format.

And don't be afraid to look to other online portfolios for inspiration in creating your own design. Auburn University professor Robert French regularly posts recent online portfolios from his upper class public relations program at PR Prospects. In the early stages of designing my portfolio, I used a lot of concepts from his site.

NEVER hire someone else to "create" your portfolio for you (or any of your other written material for that matter) much less try to pass it off as your own. It is laziness on the part of the individual and when in comes time for you to replicate something similar, this lack of skill will come back to haunt you.

As an up and coming public relations professional, these online design skills are assets you need to acquire for yourself. In doing so, you're sure to stand out above the competition.

Internships, Internships, Internships!... Did I mention Internships

One of the most important aspects to your education, before hitting the road professional, doesn't come in the class room. Internships are a key element in what firms look for. Start finding internships early. Almost every employer will ask if your job was a PAID internship. This fact alone is critical in employer's decision making.

Those other basics you forgot about

I would bet you've never considered creating your own business cards! Business cards are not part of the basic curriculum in school and most entry level job seekers I've talked with don't think about them. A business card is another great tool you can use to show employers that you are ready for the big leagues.

Not only can you use the card to provide your basic contact information (cell, email), but it also serves as one more opportunity to mention that online portfolio of yours. Additionally, networking is an important part of finding a job. You are not always going to have your stack of resumes and cover letters with you. Business cards can be kept in your wallet or purse, ready to pull out when needed.

Thank ya very much!

Just because today's business atmosphere is "Go, Go, Go!" does not mean you should skip out on the Thank You note. Considering we live in both a personal and digital world (PR), you should take the time to write both a physical thank you letter as well as a shorter email version. The thank you note helps to send a stronger message that you cared about the interview and how you position your personal qualities as a professional. Considering most candidates today do not take the time to utilize this opportunity, treat it as a golden moment.

And as with any basic "how to," remember to make a personal connection with the employer in your letter, citing something you may have discussed or learned during the interview that you valued.
~

We've taken care of the basic elements you'll need to survive the hunt for your great PR job. In my next blog entry, it's time to take on "Concurring the Digital Realm."

Return of the Dark Horse

2010-06-04T14:41:00.007-05:00

After a heavily loaded semester of completing my requirements for a minor in business administration, coupled with graduation and "the hunt" for my first career propelling job; I finally find myself with the time to once more share my learnings in becoming the next great public relations practitioner. Especially now that I have accepted my first job!....

The past few months have been stressful yet exciting. In April I once again found myself in the "Big Apple" of New York City for one more National Invitational Tournament with the Ole Miss basketball band in Madison Square Garden.

The following week I received a collegiate PRism Award from the Public Relations Association of Mississippi for the public service campaign I developed for the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation last semester. Along with a PRism, I was also awarded the Best of Show award which is only given to one professional and one collegiate practitioner each year.

Aside from this, I took time to moderate an innovators research program on developing environmental solutions around Oxford. I even taught a seminar on headline and caption writing during the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association annual spring conference.

In the second week of April, I went on to participate in an SPJ sponsored program honoring the University of Mississippi as a historic site in journalism. Recognizing the efforts of journalists during the campus' 1962 James Meredith race riots, the event featured words from University Chancellor, Dan Jones, MacArther Genius Grant recipient, Jerry Mitchell, and CBS broadcast legend, Dan Rather; all of whom I was honored to sit beside on stage in the Overby Center. The incredible privilege of participating in this program forever remains with my advisor, Dr. Wickham, who tirelessly worked to make this designation and event possible.

After barely surviving a brutal back-to-back final exam schedule (pushing 26 hours without sleep), I graduated that same Saturday with a bachelor's degree. Two weeks later, I found myself on a three day trip to New York, where I held my first two face-to-face interviews, one of which I received a job offer from. The following weekend was spent with my family in San Destin, followed by an interview in Memphis and a phone interview.

That phone interview was for the Society of Professional Journalists yearlong post-graduate internship for media, marketing, and public relations efforts. During the interview, I was informed that I was one of three finalists for the position I had applied for one month ago. Two days after speaking with Executive Director, Joe Skeel, I received another phone call, offering me the internship. I gladly accepted!

In the phone call, Mr. Skeel referred to me as "the Dark Horse." This title referenced the upper hand the other two candidates held over me prior to the interviews. But when the dust settled, two very important factors gave me the edge I needed to receive the position.

So what gave me the curve? Find out in my next blog post "The Hunt," where I'll share some great tips that helped me land my first PR job!

Perspective On Changing Techniques of IMC

2010-03-25T18:18:00.006-05:00

When considering a perspective on integrated marketing communication, it is important to realize that in an age of 24/7 digital media consumption, transparency is playing a major factor in a constantly changing game of how target publics view brands. Protecting the quality of a client’s brand has never been more critical. All integrated communications resources must be taken advantage of to benefit both the client and consumer.

With an ever increasing social media based communications concept, consumers no longer desire the “one way street” approach of communicating. Especially with the use of social media, there is a drastic need for an integrated marketing strategy of not only online ad campaigns, but also consumer engagement.

For many brands that have actively implemented the use of these online communications, consumer engagement has proven a positive tool in helping to develop a stronger, more improved relationship between the brands and their publics. Social media has been a remarkable tool in protecting brand reputations. This concept has mostly taken shape in the form of blogs and recently through Twitter.

Brands without efficient response to this form of dialog within the past year have in turn suffered drastically negative exposure at the hands of consumer social media. After a Southwest Airlines flight unknowingly asked “Clerks” and “Chasing Amy” director Kevin Smith to leave the plane because he was deemed over weight, Smith and his over 1.5 million Twitter followers made sure Southwest was aware of his dissatisfaction. Musician Dave Carroll’s frustration with United Airlines' due to a nine-month refusal to compensate him in repairs after he witnessed baggage handlers literally tossing guitars, including his own, led to a YouTube music video about the experience with currently over seven million views.

Both incidents have cost the two brands considerable negative publicity. Stronger social media and consumer engagement by both companies could have prevented the magnitude of these situations. As a result, customer relations and public relations are becoming more intricately mixed, and brand reputation has become highly transparent and damageable.

This is why all our clients must seriously consider integrated communication as a crisis management tool. This concept of operation demands fast, proactive communication equivalent to the speed of consumer response. A rapidly developing consumer social network requires more listening on the part of the brands we represent. Today, timeliness is everything.

When YouTube footage of Domino's Pizza employees defiling food was posted last April, the two days’ time it took for the company to respond to the video was more than enough to cost severe damage to the brand. Had Dominos responded quickly and effectively, harm could have been minimal in comparison.

In addition to the concerns of reputation management, this new era of consumer engagement provides the opportunity for brands to excel in creative innovation. Various Facebook and iPhone applications (apps) have already proven a key component in the promotional techniques of differing brands. A personal favorite of mine, the Burger King “sacrifice 10 friends” Facebook app’s sharing ability, incentive to use it, and humor all contributed to making the campaign a widely received success.

Amid the tech-savvy glamour of using online marketing tools, it is important to refrain from the dismissal of older forms of media. Despite critics’ declarations that print is “dead,” it is merely evolving. Some print aspects have and will change radically from what they were. Print’s new form will either become more directly focused or complementary in integrated marketing techniques. In the wake of what print will become, the great point is to understand what role it will play in effectively amplifying a client’s communication strategy.

Developing a focused method of using older mediums in today’s integrated communication can hold a significant impact in conveying a brand’s message. Working in conjunction with South-Africa based agency TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris, The Zimbabwean newspaper developed a campaign to promote accountability of Zimbabwe’s government for the collapse of the country’s economy. Across the city of Johannesburg, murals, billboards and flyers were designed and covered with Zimbabwe’s 100 trillion dollar bill to demonstrate the worthless of the bill due to the Muagabe regime. The unique, innovative tactic of this campaign was paramount in carrying The Zimbabwean’s message.

The most important perspective in embracing integrated communications is to understand the demand for consumer engagement. Utilization of integrated communications will only increase over time and the keys to maximizing its potential are creative innovation and proactive reputation management. Fortifying our client’s brands though these methods will help ensure efficient brand management.

A Galactic Fail Worth Bragging About

2010-03-10T22:03:00.007-06:00

A few weeks ago, the University of Mississippi Associated Student Body gave a crushing blow to any return of the school's old mascot, Colonel Reb, who was first banned from the sporting event sidelines in 2003. This blow came in the form of a student body poll asking whether:

Yes, I do support a student-led effort to develop and propose a NEW “on-field” mascot to represent the OLE MISS REBELS.

No, I do not support a student-led effort to develop and propose a NEW “on-field” mascot to represent the OLE MISS REBELS.

The key scare tactic used in this "push" poll was that if students voted NO, then they would not be involved and the university may still continue in the creation of a mascot without student input. Whether the method in which this poll was applied is ethical still remains in question; however, the end result was a 75% vote for YES, including my own.

But six days prior to the vote, a comedic revolution began. To make a serious situation more light-hearted, a group of four Ole Miss students began a website, facebook group, and twitter promoting Admiral Ackbar, a squid-like character from George Lucas' "Return of the Jedi," as the forefront candidate of choice and reason why students should vote yes. This parody, based on the Ole Miss Rebel connection to the Star Wars Rebel Alliance, eventually led to national media attention as well as one of Google's top 10 searches of the week.

The day after the vote on February 23, I knew that it was time to call the one man who could weigh-in on such a candidate possiblility and pop-culture effect as Ackbar. Before the day had ended, a call was placed to the personal publicist of Star Wars creator, George Lucas.

His publicist, Laura Muhlhammer, although thrown-off by such an odd topic of request, was very open to the idea of doing a short Q and A with Mr. Lucas. Letting me know she would have to check his availability, she collected my contact information and told me she would call me the following day.

When she called back I was informed that unfortunately Mr. Lucas would not be available for an interview until some time in June due to his schedule. As this would sadly lose its timeliness by then, Laura at least offered me this statement on behalf of Lucasfilm and herself which she also emailed me:

"We are flattered that our Star Wars fans at the University of Mississippi are considering electing Admiral Ackbar as their mascot. The last time we checked in with Admiral Ackbar he was leading the Rebel Alliance Fleet on a critical mission so it will be difficult for him to show up for the games!"

Considering the level of contact I had gotten in touch with, the closeness to a actual interview, and the end result, I would have to say this was not only an epic fail, but a GALACTIC FAIL worth bragging about! In this situation, I worked as a professional and was treated as such. Though I did not achieve what I had hoped, I still have the satisfaction of knowing I pushed my limits of possibility. If I had the option to do it all over again with the same chances, I would.

This situation is a reminder that we are fueled just as much by our failures as we are by our successes. What we do with them makes us who we are.

Realizing the Democratic Process

2010-02-13T12:42:00.008-06:00

Somewhere roughly around 525,600 minutes, One year ago, I had a wonderful idea. One that started with me sitting on a park bench somewhere at the University of Mississippi. It was a cold day as most Februarys are but it was also sunny.

I was reading the front page of our student newspaper, The Daily Mississippian (DM), to see where the editor-in-chief at the time had written an expose on the candidates running for the UM student government, the Associated Student Body. By the end of the article, knew what needed to be done.

From that article in the DM last year, I set out to accomplish two things; one was to create an outlet for students to truely feel involved and comprehend an important part of the democratic process; therefore, truely feeling confident in what candidate they voted for, and the other was to help develop a better, more open dialogue between student politics and journalism. Last Wednesday night, the first open, public policy style ASB Presidential Debates sponsored by the UM chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists took place at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics.

After a year, that aspiration was made possible. But no great achievement is done alone. Thankfully, the Director of Communications for ASB, Cortez Moss, who I proposed this project to is an old friend of mine from band and the opportunity never could have happened if not for his faith in what I could do. From there I worked with his assistant and now my close friend, Jajuan McNeil, to secure that this project would be one both organizations could be proud to be associated with. On top of that I had a wonderful officer team behind me every step of the way. And my adviser, Debora Wenger, never stopped suporting and encouraging me along the way. To all of these people, I am deeply greatful.

The debate concept started with a proposal that included a plan to create a debate reminicnent to the U.S. Presidential Debate that took place at the university in 2008. The debate would feature both the ASB presidential and vice presidential candidates. It also included a pre-event called "Campaign Alley," where all other candidates that were not involved in the debate could interact one-on-one with constituents.

From the moment of that proposal's approval, the real work had begun. Over the course of this event, I have acted as editor for press releases and social media use, while also designing posters, invitations, and the debate's official logo. I have organized and spoken at radio promotions, pushed for constant contact with the student media, and personally researched and developed both the debate's Conduct and Format Guidelines as well as the entire scripting and programming for the debate night. Even during the debate, Jajuan and I served as the timekeepers for the evening.

On top of that, within 36 hours until the event, a debate hall overflow contingency plan was put into place after a sudden outpouring of student interest in the debate signaled that the 225 seat auditorium would possibly surpass capacity. And despite constantly open communication on SPJ's part, the edition of the DM that day still managed to misprint that the debate would start an hour later than scheduled.

By 12 p.m. that day, I sent a message clarifying the DM's mistake was sent to the entire facebook event guest list as well as an email to the entire student and faculty population at Ole Miss with the help of ASB. The two scenarios combined was the first true crisis management mode I had ever encountered. It was exhilerating, and all problems were dealt with in a timely fashion.

For the Conduct and Format Guidelines, I researched all past U.S. debates, with special focus on the one held at UM as an omage, to develop the ASB debate structure. All of the candidates did well in the debate and Campaign Alley went incredibly well.

Our student moderator, Elizabeth Googe, who has an extensive background in politics based journalism, did an outstanding job. Never once did she stutter, crack her voice or show any sign of hesitance in what she did. The whole evening was almost close to perfect. Hopefully now the students will feel better informed in making a decision in who they want their next student leaders to be.

Below you can read through the articles the Daily Mississippian ran on the debate and a link where you can watch the recording of the live video stream used for the overflow contingency. For now, it's on to the next great project!

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Additional Resources:
"ASB candidates prepare for first public debate"
"ASB candidates seek better communication"
Watch the Debate via MCast
http://www.blip.tv/file/3240565

He Who Molds the Public

2009-12-06T23:36:00.012-06:00

Knowing how far we've come as practitioners is essential to the art of Public Relations. Although technology is a key factor changing how we communicate, remembering the wisdom of the past gives us the focus we need to become great practitioners. All the technology in the world doesn't make up for the age old truths that guide us. Here are some of my favorite PR quotes. Some are serious, others funny; but they all remind us of the importance PR and the quality of how we practice it. Enjoy!

"All the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing, and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway."
- Harry S. Truman

"He who molds the public sentiment... makes statutes and decisions possible or impossible to make."
- Abraham Lincoln

"Don’t believe your own publicity. You can’t; you’ll start thinking that you’re better than you are."
- Leif Garrett

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts."
- Abraham Lincoln

"Publicity is the life of this culture- in so far as without publicity, capitalism could not survive."
- John Berger, 'Ways of Seeing'(1980)

"Words are like bullets; if they escape, you can't catch them again."
- Wolof, African proverb

"If I was down to my last dollar, I'd spend it on public relations."
- Bill Gates

"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire public relations officers."
- Daniel J. Boorstin

"PR means telling the truth and working ethically - even when all the media want is headlines and all the public wants is scapegoats. Public relations fails when there is no integrity."
- Viv Segal, MD of Sefin Marketing

"The formulation of a public relations strategy properly begins with listening, not talking.... (Public relations) is an exploratory process in which one must establish goals, seek and, sometimes create opportunities, evaluate options, anticipate obstacles and ways of overcoming them, and assign the most qualified professionals to initiate the activity which is most likely to achieve the best results."
- Leonard Saffir

Perception is Reality II: Ole Miss is Marching On

2009-11-29T17:34:00.009-06:00

As the heated debate over the University of Mississippi's loss of "From Dixie with Love" to end the chant "the South will rise again" continues, the school's campus found it self with less than a dozen unwelcome guests this past weekend.

Members of the Mississippi White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan protested in favor of the chant on the Saturday morning of UM's football game against Louisiana State University. But just as quickly it had began, students and fans made it clear that the 11 KKK members protesting were not wanted.

Klansmen in full red, white and black uniforms, silently waved Confederate battle flags and the KKK flag as they stood in front of the Fulton Chapel while a mostly student crowd of more than 250 people called them various insults.

At one point the crowd began chanting the phrase, "Go to hell, KKK, go to hell!"

Responses to the crowd from klansman Shane Tate, grand titan of the Mississippi White Knights, were lost to the intensity of the crowd's boos and jeering. Within the first 10 minutes of their hour-long protest, the Klan left in defeat.

As the KKK dispersed and the booing of the crowd died down, an echo resounded throughout the air as a group of more than 100 students could be heard about 30 yards away from the chapel. Organized students read over and over the university’s student creed while wearing white T-shirts that said “Turn your back on hate” and “I live by the UM Creed.”

The day was a defining moment for the University of Mississippi and its public image as well as the view of the state of Mississippi. It was an incredible display that hatred and racism are no longer tolerated ideals of our peoples and that we are making progress and changing perceptions.

The University of Mississippi has been at the forefront of progress in racial eqauality. From the couragous risks of James Meredith in 1962, to the 2008 presidential debates featuring the United States' first African-American candidate and elected president; we are changing for the better. This past weekend was a continued sign that that change is happening.

As to whether the song "From Dixie with Love" can be reinstated is still uncertain but "Ole Miss is marching on."

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Additional Resources:
* The Facebook Group to save "From Dixie with Love"
SAVE OUR TRADITION, SAVE "FROM DIXIE WITH LOVE"
* An Article from Knoxnews about the protest
* A youtube video from the protest
* Chancellor Dan Jones letter to the Ole Miss Community

A Look Back: “Wamoola Madne$$”

2009-11-21T01:24:00.010-06:00

In my Public Relations Techniques class, we were asked to find a public relations case study to do a report and presentation on. After searching through different cases I found a campaign that took after my own heart and style from the 5th edition of Public Relations Cases (Jerry A. Hendrix, Darrell C. Hayes) called "Wamoola Madne$$: America Meets the New $20 Bill."

Following an aggressive acquisition strategy in the later 90s, Washington Mutual, a Seattle-based financial services institution, became one of the largest banks in California with virtually no brand recognition in the market. Very soon afterwards, the United States Treasury’s decision to introduce a new $20 bill provided WaMu with a major chance to increase name recognition in the new markets and highlight their personal commitment in developing affordable housing in service.

WaMu continued to research attitudes of California consumers showing a negative view of banking as being stiff and big business. A poll showed that 95% of bills requested from ATMs are $20, common bill for the common man. WaMu’s researched through Rogers & Associates PR firm found that $50 and $100 launches did not exist giving them the go to do something original and powerful. Their main focus for the event was the consumers with appealing to them the one thing everybody loves – free money given away.

And thus the institution developed “WaMoola Madness,” a special campaign event. On the new $20 release date from the Federal Reserve, Washington Mutual gave 20 consumers in seven major cities a chance to enter a wind cube filled with new $20 bills. Once inside, consumers would have 20 seconds to grab as many of the swirling bills as they could. The grand total in each city was matched by WaMu and donated to a local non-profit housing organization.

The entire idea was genius to me. It’s always better to hit two birds with one stone if you can do it successfully and with style and this was their chance.

Through this event WaMu seeked to boost Name Recognition in reaching an audience of over 45 million, raise awareness of the Washington Mutual name in new markets by 50% and achieve media coverage equivalent to advertising dollars. Additionally, WaMu would be able to help promote the new $20 bill and bring focus to the company’s commitment to affordable housing.

In the planning process WaMu went through extensive preparation to ensure that in each event, 200 of the new $20s would be available. To do this, the PR team made special cash orders and obtained clearance to pick up cash before hours at Federal Reserve offices, and in some instances, had money flown to their locations.

Semiweekly conference calls were held with local PR partners. These and other measures helped to prevent various security threats concerning the day of the event. Winners from the cash cubes were given one new $20 bill and a voucher to pick up the rest of their cash at a nearby WaMu bank.

WaMu also took huge measures in securing media coverage for the event. Media advisories were sent to key media and submitted to wire services before the event. Many follow-up calls were made to key media, stressing that the event would be on of the only opportunities to see the new bill and AP photographers were also contacted about the event. A key element to their coverage was establishing Radio partnerships in each city who acted as event emcees in each city, generating an even larger crowd. Personally, this was spectacular judgment on how to broadcast the message for the event.

Finally on Thursday, Sept. 24, 1998, the nationwide event took place. The entire event totaled approximately $235,000, including the $97,000 awarded to consumers.

In the end, WaMu exceeded all of their goals. The event goal to reach an audience of 45 million totaled 83 million, and a total of 3,500 attended the event. WaMu’s goal to increase name recognition by 50% reached 80% from 0%. That in it self is a mission accomplished. Additionally, media coverage equivalent to event cost surpassed and totaled $618,000. Of the $97,000 awarded to consumers, earmark grants for the equivalent were awarded to the regional non-profit organizations.

This was a great campaign for WaMu in more ways than one and its execution was almost flawless. Not only did they exceed their awareness goals, but they were able to show a strong sense of social responsibility in helping non-profit housing communities.

Perception is Reality: A Personal Realization

2009-11-14T01:04:00.012-06:00

Through issue of controversy, the University of Mississippi has lost one of its game day traditions. Because of a recent incident where the Ole Miss Football student section has begun chanting the phrase “the South will rise again,” during the song “From Dixie with Love,” the UM administration has removed the Pride of the South Marching Band's performance of the song in the Grove, during the university’s pre-game and at other athletic events.

The song is a medley comprised from the tunes “Dixie” and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” As a powerfully written fusion and reconciliation of two historical songs representing both the confederacy and union, “From Dixie with Love” has been a tradition at athletic events for over 30 years.

The chant “The South will rise again,” is a phenomenon yelled during the last five years at football games. A harmful phrase, referencing negative stereotypes, it has raised concern in hurting UM recruitment. The phrase is ironically chanted during the battle hymn in place of the lyrics “His truth is marching on.”

Although I have restrained my personal point of view regarding most of the dilemmas concerning this controversy, I have come to find great concern against pro-chant supporter’s arguments for their continued use of the phrase. Both pro-chant rebuttals are seemingly twisted viewpoints I take offense to as a journalist and Public Relations practitioner.

Their initial argument is the claim that the administration is impugning upon their First Amendment right. At no point has the University of Mississippi banned the use of saying “The South will rise again,” nor have they reprimanded or expelled any student for continuing to say the chant at athletic events. Just as the students chanting have the right to say what they wish, the institution reserves the right to take away what triggers the phrase.

The First Amendment ensures us the freedom to speak our minds as individuals and as a people. But with common sense, we as people must always ask ourselves whether the right to say something makes what we say right.

The pro-chant’s second argument is not far from this question. Their following point is that they do not “personally” believe the phrase is offensive. Even if this is their individual and collective viewpoint, it does not change the fact that they are the minority and that the chant does has negative connotations associated with it. This dispute clashes with two core principles of Public Relations and logic: perception is reality, which is a cornerstone of PR, and (yes, as Spock would say) the needs of the many will always out-weigh the needs of the few or the one.

Simply stated, The MAJORITY of the people perceive “the South will rise again” chant as a negative influence; therefore, it is harmful.

Beyond this infallible logic are the facts that the only groups and individuals that have aligned themselves with the phrase are racist, white supremacists such as the Mississippi White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, The Mississippi Council of Conservative Citizens, and Richard Barrett. There is also video footage in the UM J.D. Williams Library showing segregationists jeering James Meredith, the school’s first black student, in 1962 as they singing “Glory, glory segregation, the South will rise again.”

Whether the song can be reinstated and the chant disbanded when it returns is uncertain. Only the future will tell the outcome. But there is one constant to remember from this situation, Perception IS Reality… Always!

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Additional Resources:
* The Facebook Group to save "From Dixie with Love"
SAVE OUR TRADITION, SAVE "FROM DIXIE WITH LOVE"
* An Article from the Red Cup Rebellion blog
* Chancellor Dan Jones letter to the Ole Miss Community

Roy Reiman: Building an Empire

2009-10-29T22:14:00.009-05:00

Earlier today, Roy Reiman, CEO of Reiman Publications, was the Keynote speaker for Journalism Week at the Meek School of Journalism. For anyone who would not know, Reiman is a Godfather of magazine innovation with his publishing empire credited with building the country’s largest, private, subscription-based publishing.

His presentation began with a picture of a Royal typewriter on a TV tray in the basesment of his family home. Time and time again, people told Reiman "you can't do that", or "It will never work" but time and time again he proved them wrong. Today one of every 10 homes in America subscribes to at least one of his magazines, none of which accepts adversiting.

To Reiman there are two factors that contribute to success

Never look at problems negatively - every problem invokes entrepreurship.
Creativity is the engine that powers success. It is the difference between dreams and reality.

When Reiman first quit his job and started writing in his basement, his first project went straight down the drain along with $10,000. He credited this to not testing his markets and it was a lesson in learning from his mistakes. Labeling the experience as his "master's degree in publishing," Reiman didn't stop trying and later created his first successful magazine Farm Wife News.

His publishing company went on to create other hit magazines such as Country, Reminisce and Taste of Home. From there Reiman persued additional innovations such as his promotional t-shirt "I'm proud to be a farmer's wife" which led to an entire line of the garment production for the company.

Even in retirement, Reiman could not help himself and started a new magazine named Our Iowa. Starting from scratch and continuing with the same principles as before, his new venture boomed in business and with it he continues to push the ideas of creativity and innovation.

When asked about the uncertainties of journalism today, Reiman cites two reasons: There have been too many average writers and editors for years just getting by and publishers have allowed advertisers to dictate their content to readers. He even created an imaginary ad salesman for the company named Cal to jokingly ward off advertisers.

When it comes to magazines, Reiman believes they should be treated as welcomed friends in our homes that visit us once a month. And to Reiman, the future of magazines is clear. These "doom and gloom" times call for a "zoom" approach.

"Optimism sees its the perfect time to create," he said. "With less competition there are millions who want a good magazine because people need an escape."

Reiman ended his presentation with a simple quote: "The difference between the possible and impossible is creativity."

Finding North

2009-10-26T22:59:00.012-05:00

Today was the kick-off of Journalism Week, held each spring and fall by the Meek School of Journalism. As a special guest, our dean, Dr. Will Norton invited Roger Fransecky, the CEO of The Apogee Group to speak on what he described as the "illumination of a meaningful life."

Fransecky focused life into two core principles; Prose - the defining of your own voice by listening and establishing your view on life, and Poetry - the meaning and light in what you do. The rest, Fransecky said, is plumbing. Sometimes the plumbing makes people fall into routine and slip away from the prose and poetry in life.

"It is why you have to find your true North," Fransecky said, "You do this by finding focus and finding a purpose driven life."

And just as quickly, he turned his focus on the issue of "Change."

Fransecky described Change as having its own architecture, saying "real change begins with ending something. As behavior follows belief, you have to make visible your beliefs."

He then went on to create the allusion of the journalism profession as a boat upon a fog filled lake. As journalists, we cannot see the beginning or the end. To turn back is to try to regain the certainty of what we knew but may never find again. The only clear answer is to go forth through the fog until you reach the new land, or the new world of media tomorrow.

Fransecky discussed the personal side of realizing higher achievement. "The question of life is not what you're doing but what you are becoming," he said.

He went on to describe the 5 factors NEEDED for Higher Achievement:

A Mentor - Someone you admire for positive traits.
A Lover - We all need love. It teaches us to love life as it illuminates your own.
An Editor - Someone to watch your back and call you out and keep you humble
A Truth-teller/Champion - Someone who will praise you and fill your balloon when you need it, given their words are sincere.
A Friend - The people who tell us the truth, find us, travel with us, belong to us. It's important to have a few great friends and remember you cannot be a friend to all.

Finally, Fransescky left us with what he called the two doorway truths (the truth someone tells you just as they are departing). The first is that everything we knew and trusted about everything is over! The second is that today is just the beginning of finding that greater tomorrow!

Apogee’s clients range from Fortune 100 companies with global reach and riveting competitive challenges, to entrepreneurial enterprises flush with dreams and deadlines. Whether taking part in their development programs or visiting The Apogee Group website just to learn something, they are a MUST for PR pros seeking high-impact coaching & development.

Living His Dreams

2009-10-24T23:32:00.028-05:00

This past Wednesday, political cartoonist Marshall Ramsey, a nationally syndicated two-time Pulitzer finalist was a Society of Professional Journalists guest speaker at the Meek School of Journalism. Ramsey, who is the political cartoonist for The Clarion-Ledger in Mississippi, spoke about life as a cartoonist and political satire in Mississippi.

During the two programs he gave at the school, Ramsey talked with students about the obstacles he went through to get to where he is today; from college advisers who told him the collegiate newspaper didn't need another cartoonist, to his first newspaper editor who told him he had no career in the profession. Without a doubt, Ramsey's message was one of perseverance and achieving one's dreams.

As a result of his persistence, His cartoons while attending Kennesaw State College won the top prize for collegiate cartoonists, The John Locher Memorial Award. From then on, his career has skyrocketed as his cartoons have gone on to appear in USA Today, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, The Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times.

Also a melanoma survivor, Ramsey has been honored by the Melanoma Research Foundation and the American Cancer Society for his work with promoting skin cancer screening. During his presentations he reminisced about overcoming cancer and finding away to see the humorous side."How do you brush the devil off your shoulder?" Ramsey said to the classes, "You laugh at him."

It truly was an honor having Ramsey to speak and this program was one I had been planning since last April. Quite often, speakers that come through are trite and boring. Having heard him three times in the past seven years, I knew Ramsey would be a welcomed break from the norm. "He was like a stand-up comedian with his own visuals," student Darren White said, "Every cartoon he showed us had a great impact and he always had a punch line to go with it."

One of my favorite aspects to preparing the program was creating the event poster. It is by far the most creative and enjoyable I've been able to be in my SPJ program designs. Although there were many complications involved with the preparation of this program, thanks to team work and an extensive amount of emails, SPJ was able to cover all the basses in making the program a successful one.

We even got a shout-out from Ramsey later in the evening on his Twitter account.

"I'd like to thank Andrew Scott, Debora Halpern Wenger and the Ole Miss chapter of the SPJ for inviting me up to speak at Ole Miss today," Ramsey said on his profile.

The Essence of Oxford

2009-10-24T23:32:00.026-05:00

A recent press release I wrote for my internship at the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce about the release of their 10th Artists' Series print featuring Glennray Tutor. This Friday, the article ran in THE OXFORD EAGLE.
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"Chamber Debuts Annual Oxford print – 10th in Artists’ Series"

Oxford, MS – Are you looking for a unique Oxford print? Maybe something that captures the essence of Oxford in a seemingly simplistic but ultimately surreal and dynamic fashion as though experiencing the city for the first time. Well, the Chamber may have just what you are looking for.

The Oxford – Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is featuring another in a series of prints that showcase talents of artists in the area. This year’s print, entitled "Afternoon on the Square," by famed Oxford artist Glennray Tutor.

This beautiful photorealistic art piece sends you on a stroll back through time as it peers toward the center of the historic Oxford Square from the west as if strolling down Van Buren on a late afternoon walk. The art features shops and stores that have come and gone, plus some that have stood strong through the years, sparking memories for many Oxonians and Ole Miss Alumni alike.

Tutor, known for his photorealistic paintings, is part of the photorealism art movement. His paintings are immersed with intense color, nostalgic items, metaphor, and a complete focus on detail.

His works have been shown at The Mendenhall Gallery in California, The Cole Pratt Gallery in New Orleans, The Hahn Ross Gallery in Santa Fe, The Alice Bingham Gallery in Memphis, The Frist Center of Visual Arts in Nashville, The Mississippi Museum of Art, The Schmidt-Bingham Gallery in New York, Helander Gallery in New York, The World's Fair in New Orleans, as well as many other well respected art galleries.

Influenced by painters Ralph Goings and Charles Bell, Tutor is a graduate of the University of Mississippi where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and English in 1974 and his Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting in 1976. During the years of 1999 and 2000, his artwork was featured in a show known as "Outward Bound: American Art on the Brink of the Twenty-first Century: An Exhibition of American Contemporary Art" which was sponsored by the Mobil Corp. The traveling gallery show started in Washington, D.C. and continued to tour South Eastern Asia.

The limited edition signed and numbered print can be purchased for $25 at the Chamber of Commerce office, located at 299 Jackson Avenue West. Only 250 prints will be sold.

Tutor’s artwork is also featured on the cover of the 2009-2010 Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation Community Guide and Membership Directory. He won first place in the tenth Annual Art Contest held by the Chamber of Commerce in the spring.

For more information about the print or the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, call 662.234.4651.

Published: October 23, 2009

THE OXFORD EAGLE

http://www.oxfordeagle.com/

'Twitter'pated

2009-09-24T00:22:00.009-05:00

It has grown increasingly apparent that there is a need to be in tune with the rapid, ever changing social media. In public relations, this is becoming critical. Whether it be through having a website, blog, facebook or even... Twitter? Yes, Twitter!

Despite the fact that the site is mostly used by people who, to quote one of my professors, "want to tell us about their every bowel movement" it does have the tools to serve a positive use in the business environment; especially Public Relations. Many large Public Relations agencies and small ones alike are jumping in and using twitter's resources to stay ahead of the game. Some of these agencies include Burson-Marsteller and KEF-Media.

So what does twitter have to offer the PR Professional?

1. Networking – The obvious but often unrealized fact, Twitter is a professional's gateway to the world. There is a total of somewhere over a million Twitter users and with an average of 200,000 active individuals using their Twitter accounts every week and I'm willing to bet a decent percentage of those people have jobs that may be in an emphasis you are interested in pursuing. Used properly, Twitter can help you enhance those relationships.

2. Personally Brand Yourself - Twitter allows the opportunity to portray one's self in both a personal and professional manner. Look at the site as an extension of your resume, building a stronger definition of who you are as opposed to just the one-to-two page document you get to hand your prospective employer in an interview. With each and every tweet, you are able to post everything you are involved in with internships, projects, campaigns, etc.

3. Skill Development - The one thing Twitter can do the most for it's professional users; it provides a constant connection to changing trends in public relations and social media. Depending who you hitch your "following" wagon to, twitter can constantly keep you in the know about what's happening around you.

As for me, I have recently started my own twitter account and will begin posting as soon as I have developed the "purpose" behind my posts. I know I want my account to be helpful and encouraging for all Public Relations professionals; I just have to lock down what that angle and delivery style is going to be.

Of course, to create a sense of organization and credibility, I have been designing my profile to be a continuation of the color theme of my blog, using the deep blue and light green primary colors and using my banner for background. It is my goal and obligation to ensure that my twitter shall be used in a productive way for the greater good and advancement of public relations!

Click HERE to check out my Twitter account!

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

2009-09-22T09:41:00.014-05:00

To do a Public Relations take on the "Intel: Sponsors of Tomorrow" ad campaign: A small, yoda-like man walks onto the stage podium and smiles at the crowd of students that have gathered. His hair is combed back and the reflection from the over-head lights beams off his glasses. But despite this non-assuming man's appearance, his presence is Olympian as the students applaud his entrance.

Harold Burson; Co-founder of Burson-Marsteller, one of the world's largest public relations agencies and PRWeek's most influential public relations person of the 20th century. Public Relations: Our rock stars aren't like your rock stars!

That was what went through my head when Harold Burson spoke yesterday as he addressed students in the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics main auditorium at the University of Mississippi's Meek School of Journalism and New Media.

One thing is for certain, I can only hope to be half the public relations specialist that Burson is and he truly is the real "Mr. Public Relations."

During the hour he spent with students yesterday, Burson reminisced about the early part of his career, the creation of Burson-Marsteller, and the agency's defining moments; including its work in cleaning up Exxon's image after the Valdez oil spill incident in 1989 and Johnson & Johnson's confrontation with a second outbreak of cyanide-laced Tylenol in 1986.

One of the main points in his presentation was what you know. Burson emphasized the importance of specializing in something but also knowing something about everything. His big tip was for students serious in working in corporate PR to have a business background. In today's market, those with business minors and (even better) an MBA have the upper edge over those with English and history minors. It was a cold, hard fact that made me sigh in relief that despite the grievance it has been, I've been minoring in business.

Additionally, I felt a personal connection to Burson's life story when he told us about his graduating from the University of Mississippi (the same university I now attend) and his dreams of being whisked away to the life of New York City. Given the opportunity to hear him speak ensured me that with hard work, determination and a strengthened belief in the need for effective public relations, maybe someday, I too could be the professional he is.

The Chamber Internship

2009-09-13T21:44:00.010-05:00

I'm very excited to say that this fall semester, I'm taking instructor Robin Street's Jour 491 Public Relations Techniques class. The second of three public relations classes offered in the journalism school, the class focuses on developing individual PR skills and style.

Throughout the semester we will cover writing effective press releases, learning how to do surveys, professional PR case studies and developing our own campaigns.

Additionally, Ms. Street's class provides internships doing PR work for local businesses in the Oxford community. Though the internships are not paid, the credit and experience are worth the time and effort in giving students the competitive edge over other PR students.

Luckily I was able to receive my first choice in internship with the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation and Chamber of Commerce. One of the most sought after internships, The EDF is dedicated to a strong commitment in seeking new business and supporting existing industry for the Oxford-Lafayette County area. The chamber provides marketing, publicity, savings and client opportunities for nearly 700 businesses and members. The EDF uses community resources to help business needs and create healthy partnerships.

Its also pretty cool to note that Ms. Street was named the Public Relations Association of Mississippi's (PRAM) Educator of the Year this past spring. That fact, no doubt, continues to prove that the University of Mississippi journalism staff is one of the best in the south.

In both the class and internship, its going to be a great semester learning to become a better public relations practitioner.

Promoting the 'Half-Blood Prince'

2009-07-17T11:29:00.019-05:00

This past Wednesday, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released in theaters nationwide. In the sixth installment of the series, Harry Potter discovers an old book marked mysteriously "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.

And in the spirit of spreading excitement for the film, I put together a small promotion for the opening weekend at Westbrook Cinema 4. As I had done with other premieres in the past, I made my own Harry Potter costume from scratch. Of course, though my past promotions have always been fun for the patrons, I wanted to expand on the idea to make the promo more fun for the rest of the Regal "Cast Members" as well.

So in order to take the Hogwarts "nerdiness" to the extreme, I made individual Hogwarts house badges (including Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw) for the other members to wear, letting each person pick which house they would belong to. Oddly enough, everyone seemed to pick the house most fitting for them. And as I had hoped, the added effect made the experience even more enjoyable for both the patrons and the rest of the Westbrook staff.

Needless to say, it was a great weekend to be a Harry Potter nerd!

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Above photo: Me as Harry Potter working in concessions. Below photo: Cast members Sam O'Rorke and Dianna Beachum wearing their Ravenclaw house badges.
Bottom photo: Cast members Michelle Henly and Jonathan Hart wearing their Hufflepuff and Slytherin house badges.

Promoting Pixar's 'Up'

2009-05-30T15:16:00.026-05:00

Starting yesterday, Pixar Animation Studios released its tenth computer-animated feature.

In "Up," the story revolves around the main character, Carl Fredricksen (voiced by Edward Asner), who, frustrated with his mundane life and impending enforcement into a retirement home, ties thousands of balloons to his house and sets off for adventure in South America. A small boy named Russell (voiced by Jordon Nagai) who is trying to earn his last Junior Wilderness Explorer badge for helping the elderly accidentally ends up on board, and hilarity ensues. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Pictures and "Up" is also Pixar's first 3D adventure.

Having seen the movie premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, critics boast that the film continues to exemplify Pixar's flawless record in never releasing a bad film.

The film is a "captivating odd-couple adventure that becomes funnier and more exciting as it flies along," wrote Variety's Todd McCarthy. "The two leading men are 78 and 8 years old, and the age range of those who will appreciate the picture is even a bit wider than that."

After seeing "Up" for myself, I could not help but fall in love with it. The plot line of the movie will touch audiences hearts. The 3D effect is remarkably and tastefully done unlike other 3D films in recent years (i.e. Spy Kids 3D, Shark Boy and Lava Girl). In this case, you truly feel as though you are in the movie. But even if you see "Up" in the traditional 2D format, you are still in for an epic adventure.

Now that I'm back working at Regal Entertainment Group's Westbrook Cinema 4 for my last summer, I wanted to get the lead out on my promotional technique by doing something for this film in particular (mostly because I'm an avid Disney/Pixar fanatic). Since Westbrook is typically the short stick of the draw when it comes to getting promotional materials it created more of a challenge (though welcomed) for me.

Before opening yesterday I assembled a cut-out, with a cardboard backing, of the the house used in "Up" to attached to the marque box for theater hall one. Then I went out to get a few helium balloons to attach behind the cut-out using a dead weight to hold them in place. On the bottom side of the marque I attached a cut-out of Fredricksen holding on to the garden hose to make it appear as though he is holding on to the house.

I'm happy to say that as families came into the main lobby, quite a few of the small children would tug on their parent's shirts, pointing at the promotion and/or yelling out "Look at the balloons!" Knowing that the younger guests enjoyed the display was all I needed to see for the display to be a success.

And one specific note I want to mention about "Up" before I close was Pixar's triumph in the animation of the balloons. For this feat they used a process called procedural animation which uses an algorithm, or set of equations, as well as Newtonian physics which allowed software to simulate the actions of each individual balloon without animators having animate each balloon themselves. To read more about what it took to create the amazing sequences, read CNN.com's report "How technology lifts Pixar's 'Up'"

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/05/28/pixar.up.technology/index.html
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Above photo: The promotional display above theater one at Westbrook Cinema 4.

pr-IMPACT on Improving Press Releases

2009-05-14T01:56:00.013-05:00

Today I happened upon an interesting Public Relations website called http://www.pr-impact.com/ by PR pro Jerry Brown. On his site, Brown promotes a practical, effective approach to promoting PR to stakeholders through his e-books. Deciding whether to purchase his e-books is a personal call but the site does provide some great insight. The following exerts from his section on "Improving Your Press Releases."

Three reasons press releases fail:
1. They’re too self-serving. Reporters won’t write stories about you for your benefit. They write for the benefit of their audience. Give your audience a reason to care about what’s in your press release and reporters who write for that audience will be more likely to use it.
2. They’re boring. Reporters are competing for the attention of readers or viewers. They work hard to make their stories interesting – with the language they use and the way they tell their stories. People who write press releases often do just the opposite, then wonder why their press releases didn’t get used.
3. There’s no clear objective. You can’t succeed unless you know what success is. Getting a “positive” story isn’t specific enough.

Five tips for writing really good press releases:
1. Give your audience a reason to care. Everybody’s favorite subject is me. Make your press releases relevant and interesting to your audience.
2. Localize your story. Reporters are always looking for a local angle for their stories. Provide a local angle in your press releases. Localizing your press release often is about geography. But it can also be about community of interest. You can “localize” a press release by providing an angle that makes it interesting for trade or specialty publications.
3. Humanize your story. News is about people and things that affect people.
4. Use the Big Four. Do one or more of the following four things (they’re not mutually exclusive) in a way that affects enough people and turn almost anything into news:
– Solve a problem or create an opportunity. Flip sides of the same thing.
– Provide useful information (tips)
– Identify a trend. Better yet, tell me how to take advantage of it or avoid being harmed by it.
– Help the community. Charity events for example.
5. Optimize your press releases for the Internet search engines. Press releases aren’t just for reporters any more.

The Overby Center Internship

2009-05-09T16:40:00.016-05:00

Yesterday I concluded my semester-long internship as student assistant at The Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics.

The Overby Center is funded through a grant from the Freedom Forum, a foundation dedicated to educating people about the importance of a free press and the First Amendment. The Center's mission is to create better understanding of the media and politicians and the role of the First Amendment in U.S. democracy.

The Center features programs, multimedia displays and writings that examine the independent and interrelated relationships of the media and politicians; past, present and future. Because many leaders in media and politics have come from the South, the Overby Center pays special attention to Southern perspectives.

The Center is named for Charles L. Overby, editor of the Daily Mississippian at the University of Mississippi from 1967 to 1968, executive editor of The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson from 1982 to 1984, former vice president/news of the Gannett Co., former member of the management committee of USA TODAY, and now chairman, chief executive officer of the Newseum.

During the semester I worked for and did research for Overby fellows Curtis Wilkie and John Hailman. Wilkie is a revered Southern journalist and author and was a reporter at The Boston Globe for over 25 years before teaching journalism at the university. Hailman, a federal prosecutor, also teaches at the university and was a wine columnist for the Washington Post and was nationally syndicated for over a decade by Gannett News Service.

Under Curtis (as he prefers his students to call him), I transcribed phone calls for a book he is working on involving one of the most recent Mississippi fraud cases. For Professor Hailman, I worked on typing and editing the chapters for his next two book projects, Midnight to Guntown and Good Wine. Both fellows were unique personalities to work with and it was great getting to know them.

For Dawn Jeter, the Operations Manager of the Overby Center, I helped set up for different forums and speakers that visited the center throughout the semester. I also handled other administrative assistant work that she needed.

My time with the Overby Center also provided me with a chance to meet and work with many journalists and politicians such as NBC broadcaster Sander Van Oker, Oxford Mayor Richard Howorth, state representative Jim Evans, Pulitzer Prize writer Gene Roberts, and NBC anchor Tom Brokaw who I had previously worked for during the presidential debate last fall.

Although at times, work was rigorously fast-paced and seemingly over-whelming, I did enjoy my time interning there. It was my first job where I had my own three-sided, oak desk and how cool is that! Since yesterday was my last day, Professor Hailman gave me a signed copy of his book Thomas Jefferson on Wine and a 2007 bottle of Hogue white Riesling wine. As a dessert wine, the Hogue is wonderful and the book has been added to my on-going book collection.

Saying Goodbye to Sacred Heart

2009-05-06T22:34:00.024-05:00

After eight seasons, Scrubs, the sitcom I watched throughout high school and most of college, finally ended tonight.

For those who have never seen the series, Scrubs is an comedy-drama that premiered on October 2, 2001, on NBC (which I still remember watching) and follows the lives of the employees of Sacred Heart hospital. The show's title is a play on surgical scrubs in addition to “scrubs” being slang for the inexperienced.

The show is primarily viewed through the eyes of the central character, John Michael "J.D." Dorian (Zack Braff) and his adventures with his friends; Christopher Turk (Donald Faison), Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke), and Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes). Great characters in the show like Chief-of-Medicine Bob Kelso (Ken Jenkins), J.D.'s mentor Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley), his nemesis "the janitor" (Neil Flynn), and Sacred Heart Lawyer Ted Buckland (Sam Lloyd) continued to bring the laughs and added depth to the show.

Each episode of Scrubs is amazing because of the show's plot lines that always have good morals and values mixed in with overwhelming humor. It is probably why I love watching Scrubs so much. Unlike most shows it is not just an escape from reality, but instead the journeys of the characters relates to viewers in a way that inspires them with positive perspectives to make it through their own every day hurdles. By the end of each episode, Scrubs taught viewers lessons on life.

Some of my favorite episodes include "My Musical," "My Way Home," "My ABC's," "My Fallen Idol," "My Catalyst," and "My Overkill."

Another unique aspect of Scrubs is that it is filmed on location at the North Hollywood Medical Center, a real decommissioned hospital located in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif. However, the location of Sacred Heart Hospital within the fictional world of Scrubs is left ambiguous, leaving it easier for its audience to connect with the characters. It's probably another reason I've been able to relate with the show. It has never been about where Sacred Heart is, but the experiences of the lives within the hospital.

During the seventh season more than a year ago, NBC announced that it would not renew the show. To make matters worse for the show's future, in November, the Writers Guild of America went on strike, which put the production of the show's seventh season on hold. When the strike started, only eleven of Scrubs' eighteen planned seventh season episodes had been completely written. The show's creator and director, Bill Lawrence refused to cross any WGA picket lines to serve any of his duties for the show, so ABC Studios had non-WGA members finish episode twelve, which the studio had unsuccessfully pressured Lawrence to rewrite as a series finale prior to the strike.

Shortly after a very weak, ill-fitting seventh season finale, ABC announced that it had bought the rights to the show and on January 6, 2009, the eighth season of Scrubs premiered on ABC. Once again, Lawrence and the cast of Scrubs were able to rekindle the heart-felt reasons many viewers had come to know from the earlier seasons of the show.

Even the last episode kept true to the same themes that have carried the show since the beginning: people grow and change, but life at the hospital just keeps going. People leave, people die, someone makes a life-changing decision, and life just keeps going. To Quote:

"I'm real sorry there, newbie. But this is not a special day for me. It's just a day," Dr. Cox almost-convincingly said during one of J.D.'s attempts at getting an emotional goodbye from him. He was right. And Sacred Heart did not make much of a big deal out of J.D.'s departure.

And as J.D. walks out the exit for the last time, he reflects on the individuals that influenced his life during his years at Sacred Heart. Then he starts to daydream about the the future. And as always he sums up with an important life lesson:

"It's never good to live in the past too long. As for the future, thanks to Dan (J.D.'s older brother), it didn't seem so scary anymore. It could be whatever I want it to be... Who's to say this isn't what happens? And who's to say my fantasies won't come true just this once?"

For all of the wonderful memories, laughs, and lessons learned; I have to say thank you to Lawrence, Braff, and the rest of the cast and crew of Scrubs for an incredible eight years.

PR Profiling in the News Media

2009-04-29T21:17:00.007-05:00

I recently came across a great Public Relations practitioner’s journal article from PR Journal, published by the Public Relations Society of America. The title of the article is “Influence of the Gender of Reporters, News Topics, and Circulation Size on Framing of Public Relations.”

The study itself explored how external news factors influenced media framing of public relations by analyzing daily newspapers’ news content dedicated to depictions of public relations. The gender of reporters, news topics, and circulation size of newspapers significantly predicted how the newspapers framed public relations.

In their research, a neutral frame was dominant. When negative and positive frames were compared, male reporters took more negative approaches than female reporters, and female reporters took favorable stances toward public relations. Both negative and positive frames of public relations were more frequently present in hard news than in soft news. Large newspapers emphasized a negative frame toward public relations, and small newspapers highlighted a positive frame.

Especially in PR crisis management, it is critical that practitioners heed these frames and apply them to handling media relations.

As a whole, this concept is relative to all Public Relations practitioners; PR departments, PR firms and small businesses. This knowledge is particularly an important informational tool that applies to small business managers in order to relate to their employees on how do deal with the media in situations where there maybe little or no PR department within the business.

Ultimately, how the media views your company of business is typically how the public will see you. Remember: "Perception is Reality!"

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Citation:
Lim, Jeongsub and Bae, Jiyang, "Influence of the Gender of Reporters, News Topics, and Circulation Size on Framing of Public Relations," PR Journal Vol. 3, number 1, winter 2008

Capture the Moment: Find the Moment

2009-04-20T22:23:00.020-05:00

Beginning April 22, "Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs," the largest and most comprehensive display of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs ever shown in the United States, formally opened at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics (my place of work) at the University of Mississippi.

The exhibit features 138 images drawn from each year's winning entries from 1941 up to and including the award-winning 2009 photographs. Without a doubt, compelling images in the exhibit touch the heart strings in a very profound way.

The FREEDOM FORUM's Newseum developed the traveling exhibit and its sister exhibit at the Newseum with the help of Business of Entertainment, Inc., New York, with Cyma Rubin as curator. The exhibition at the Overby Center will be on display through July 3 and I highly encourage individuals to see this amazing tribute to the human condition.

To raise awareness for the exhibit, we decided to do a Society of Professional Journalists sponsored scavenger hunt for students viewing the exhibit. To complement the exhibit we titled the event "Capture the Moment: Find the Moment."

Participants in the hunt were given a list of 10 Pulitzer photographers who's pictures were on display in the exhibit. After accurately finding the matching titles for all 10 photographers, participants would have to return the list, signed by the Farley Hall receptionist. To help from participant miss-use of the list we developed four different lists: one by Grafton Pritchartt (Vice President), Janna Jones (Webmaster), Dr. Wickham (faculty advisor), and myself.

In the end, SPJ had a great participant response with more than 30 entries. We gave winners either a Big Bad Breakfast $25 gift certificate, free McAlister's cookies or other local prizes from the Oxford area.

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Above Photo: The flyer I designed for the Pulitzer exhibit's promotion.

The World Will Have Its Skeptics

2009-04-07T20:04:00.013-05:00

The following is a list of quotes from my Marketing Principles text book. It comes from chapter 11, "Product Concepts."

The chapter covered five adopter categories in acceptance of new innovations in order of adoption. The first were the Innovators (2.5%), followed by Early Adopters (13.5%), Early Majority (34%), Late Majority (34%), and finally the Laggards (16%). Some of the greatest ideas have always had their skeptics. This list covers just a few of the quotes by closed minded reasoning later trumped by success. Enjoy!

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
- Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943

"This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us."
- Western Union internal memo, 1876

"The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?"
- David Sarnoff's associates in response to his urgings for investment in the radio in the 1920s

"The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a 'C,' the idea must be feasible."
- A Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith's paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service (Smith went on to found Federal Express Corporation)

"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?"
-H.M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927

"A cookie store is a bad idea. Besides, the market research reports say America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make."
- Banker's response to Debbie Fields' idea of starting Mrs. Fields' Cookies

"We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out."
- Decca Recording Company rejecting the Beatles, 1962

Save the Last Dance For Me

2009-02-14T11:38:00.014-06:00

Today I'm unbelievably happy to say that last night, my fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and our sister sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota celebrated our first conjoined spring formal, "Music From the Heart."

I'm also proud to say that by this event being such a phenomenal success, I've broken through my superstition barrier and fear of Friday the 13th.

That is not to say it was an easy success. As the coordinator for the formal, the entire event took a personal 10 months worth of creation, constant planning, time, gas and stress. Thankfully with a lot of support, help and imagination from other enthusiastic individuals, the bar was raised even further.

The formal itself started as an idea from another friend's formal that she had invited me to last April at Rhodes College in Memphis Tenn. After constant research for adequete venues in Oxford to host the formal at and two weeks worth of writing a proposal, I later passed the project before the fraternity in October. From there it was all about the planning. From the big stuff to even the smallest details.

Because the formal was within the beginning weeks of spring semester and most of us were gone for the full two months of winter break, I created a private facebook group to communicate ideas for the formal between members. The focus of the group was on issues concerning theme, dj, ticket sales and food. Using Facebook was very beneficial in the process. As soon as the semester began, I started holding Formal committee meetings to talk about and finalized issues and start organizing the details.

As the time came for selling tickets, I brought the focus on marketing strategy to include creating posters, making general announcements to the bands and choirs in the music department, and the creation of an event on facebook. All those factors helped to promote the event effectively enough that ticket sales covered most of our expenses.

The location for the formal was the Oxford Conference Center which provided a regal sense of environment to guests. When it came time for decorations and food, SAI took the bill on decorating and Sinfonia, the cost of food. Of course that pretty much meant I was the caterer for the event as well as coordinator. Turns out, I can do a much better job creating a full buffet with much less money in comparison to actual caters. Go me!

In the end the event was very successful and there were many outstanding reviews about the formal the next day on Facebook. Considering many PR jobs involve a considerable amount of event planning, the experience has been a positive and justifiable one for me.

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Above photo: The poster for the formal designed by me. The logo for the event was a design by Amanda Frazier.

Below photo: The Oxford Conference Center in Oxford, MS.

Selling the J-Dept t-shirt

2009-02-10T23:27:00.043-06:00

I should probably start off with the fact that as of this past month I am the new President of the Society of Professional Journalists Ole Miss chapter. Now that I've taken this position, it is my personal mission statement to raise SPJ out of the slump it fell into last semester and make the organization stronger that it was before that.

This also means that after designing and preparing, SPJ finally started its sales drive for the Official Journalism t-shirts yesterday. As I figured, we ended up using the third design from the "Designing the J-Dept t-shirt" entry.

SPJ started the drive with a bang. Throughout the day on Monday I came and briefly spoke about the shirts to the different classes that met in Farley Hall. I also hung various posters, marketing the shirts throughout every classroom and every bulletin board in the building. The posters displayed here are a part of the first set of posters I designed labeled "the diversity posters." The second set I designed were in accordance to Valentine's day coming later this week.

On the posters are the major slogan for the campaign "Show Your Pride!" as well as the ticket prices and places to purchase the t-shirts. With strong volunteering from Grafton Pritchartt (Vice-President) and Katrina Baker (Secretary), SPJ managed to handle covering most of the major classes to our booth in the main lobby of Farley.

The funniest part of the whole process of designing and producing the posters for the t-shirts was while I was doing the photo shoot of students modeling the shirts. The selection was randomly drawn from one of Dr. Wickham's (SPJ's advisor) ethics classes. What I did not realize until after printing the posters was that one of the four students I had chosen was the Ole Miss football team's wide receiver, Dexter McCluster.

Of course as the week has moved along I have come to realize that I made one fatal flaw in the process of deciding how many t-shirts to produce. Initially we ordered 100 total with 34 smalls, 33 mediums and 33 larges. I figured "hey there are so many smaller sized girls in the Journalism Department, if I'm gonna order one extra, it might as well be a small." Well, wrong!

A very important key cultural aspect to the majority of the girls in the department on a campus like Ole Miss is "Sorority." And for some strange, constantly mind-boggling reason, sorority chicks love wearing over-bearingly
large t-shirts with sophie shorts that make it look like they are not wearing any pants at all. The lesson here is to underestand your demographics. In the end, I probably should have ordered 44 larges and 23 smalls. It isn't a serious matter and it will not have a crushing affect on sales profits. Revenue will have to be in the long-run as apposed to my original short-run plan for total sales, but it evens out. I still feel bad for the smalls though.

The smalls will suffer.

A New Hope: Rise of the Millennials

2009-02-10T22:09:00.011-06:00

Update : This article recently ran in the Daily Mississippian, the student newspaper of the University of Mississippi. It is currently on file with the DMonline.
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With an 18 hours-a-week class schedule and the sometimes 20 hours-a-day work schedule of a residence assistant in Kincannon dormitory, it is understandable that James Buchanan stays busy. But he is also a student in the Croft Institute, as well as a member of the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Amnesty International, and the College Democrats at Ole Miss.

After that, the rest of his day is ruled by a computer; checking emails, doing blackboard homework, researching projects and reports using the internet, and of course, the constant need to check his facebook more than four times a day.

Two weeks ago he was accepted for an internship with U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C.. Someday, he hopes he can make a difference in the world of politics and a failing economy.

Though his story is very unique, James is not alone. A lot of his characteristics are similar to other students his age. That defines him as part of a rising generation now known as “the Millennials.”

Also known as the Net Generation, Generation Y, Echo Boomers, and iGeneration, the Millennials consist primarily of the offspring of the Generation Jones and Baby Boomers. The Millennial timeline of birth ranges between the years 1982 to 2000. Their numbers far outrange that of their Baby Boomer parents, numbering somewhere between 80 million and 95 million.

Ross Haenfler, a University of Mississippi assistant professor of sociology and specialist in youth subcultures, believes the most prominent characteristic of the Millennial generation is how technologically savvy they are. He mostly links that aspect to being plugged in their entire lives.

Many Millennials spend their day either checking facebook, MySpace or twitter feeds. Others go to online forums and video sites like YouTube. When they are not in front of a computer, Millennials either have a cell phone in their hands texting or an MP3 in their ears. Sometimes it is both.

“I think its changing their consciousness. Their ability to multi task is pretty amazing but so is their lack of attention,” Haenfler says, “Technology is almost a compulsion; it’s difficult for students to sit still and not be plugged in.”

According to the authors who wrote the book Millennials Rising, William Strauss and Neil Howe, one of the Millennial generation’s other key strengths is that they are team players. Millennials play in groups and study in groups.

Because of this the Millennials are also the least race-conscious generation in American history. Millennial values encourage unity in dress and speech and ideals, far more than fears regarding diversity issues.

Another aspect Haenfler cites for this generation is that it extends youth well into the 20’s, with fewer individuals wanting to be married, own a family, or a home by their mid 20’s.

“For them it’s no rush, especially when they think they could live into their mid-80s,” Haenfler says.

A number of studies, including new ones by the Center for American Progress in Washington and by Demos, a progressive think tank in New York, have shown that Americans in this age group face a variety of challenges that are tougher than those faced by young adults over the past few decades. Among the challenges are worsening job prospects, lower rates of health insurance coverage and higher levels of debt.

In Strauss’ and Howe’s book The Fourth Turning, they predicted that some event between 2005 and 2010 will signal the beginning of about two decades of chronic fear and struggle. The effects of this event will have led to a point where compromise is no longer seen as a virtue. The Millennial generation will have no choice but to rise to the challenges.

The authors make much of the generational structure of the Star Wars characters when it comes to this crisis. The Baby Boomers have become old Obi Wan Kenobi as a Prophet, who defines the confrontation. Han Solo, like Generation X, belongs to a "Nomad" generation that is likely to get most of the dirty work and little of the praise. Luke Skywalker is a Hero, obviously, and he is what the Millennials are to become. The shadow of Luke Skywalker, however, is his own father, Darth Vader. In the prequel to the trilogy, "The Phantom Menace," audiences see Darth Vader as a child, still full of possibility, like the little Millennials now.

“For the average person of this generation, it’s going to be harder to achieve the kind of lifestyle their parents got to have,” Haenfler says, “This is the generation that in their lifetime, environmental and economical problems are going to come to a head. So once they are older and in positions of power, they are going to have to tackle these issues.”

But Haenfler remains hopeful for Millennial’s future.

“You hear a lot about this generation’s wanting to change the world for the better so that is where some of them are finding meaning in contrast with the ramped individualism of the 70-80’s,” Haenfler says, “Many of this generation are interested in giving something back and finding fulfillment in that.”

Millennials are increasingly aware of and engaged in volunteer work, community service, and philanthropic activities. About 67 percent of students said helping others who are in difficult situations is an essential or very important objective, according to UCLA's annual survey, "The American Freshman—National Norms for 2006."

The report also found that 35.2 percent of undergrads think it is important to become leaders, and 42 percent believe it's important to influence social values, which is the highest that measure has been since 1993.

Under all of these circumstances is where students like James come in. With a tedious academic career and a very dreary economic future, he and the rest of his generation has come of age to where soon they will have to use every resource they have available to rise to the challenges of a very uncertain future.

Published: March 9, 2009
the Daily Mississippian
http://blog.olemisslife.com/

The Three Keys

2009-01-10T19:24:00.005-06:00

Without a doubt, there are three keys to fundamentally being a great agent of Public Relations. You have got to be Professional, Personal, and (going into this century) Technology savvy. All of these aspects are important in mastering the art of Public Relations.

Professional
When serving your company, the client that you work for, or the public, how you practice PR says everything about how you can handle their needs and dictates "the trust factor." Being professional comes with the need for your own personal code of ethics and applying those morals in your decision making process. Being professional also in tales a need for transparency with with the company to the client and the public. Your morals reflect the company's morals.

How you carry yourself professionally also influences how your media counterparts see you. And how the media sees you often reflects on how the public tends to see you.

Personal
Odds are, you are not the only PR agent out there that has top notch professional skills but a friendly, caring personality can give you the upper hand. The best way to describe this would be the "Extra Mile" Syndrome, putting that extra effort to let the client and the public know you care about their needs.

Being personal means always having a warm smile on your face, being ready to go the distance to maximize efficiency for your clients needs, and saying "thank you." Sometimes that last one will mean a world of difference and gives the strong impression that you and your company truly care.

Technology Savvy
In case you have been living under a rock for the past eight year, this is the 21st century that we're living in now and technology is the ruling factor. Thanks to the Internet there is a higher demand for information and to have it as fast as possible. And as new tech savvy generations grow up in this time and age, it's important to ad hear to their "digital appetite." That's why we have to use the materials right here in front of us to give them what they need with the use of user friendly websites, e-mail and blogs.

Technology was a huge factor in President-elect Barrack Obama's campaign. Through the internet he was able to connect with his constituents and (what do you know) created a sense of "Personal" relationship with them. With the power of the Internet, the world is becoming a much smaller place than it was and technology is a powerful force in your pocket in such global community.

Saying Thank You

2009-01-03T22:00:00.003-06:00

As I'm learning my field, I'm realizing that it's always important to say Thank You. Nothing makes a company's client or donor happier than finding a way to let them know how much you appreciate their time and efforts.

This past summer, I headed the "StarsOfHope" Fundraiser campaign at Regal Entertainment Group's Westbrook Cinema 4 in Brookhaven, Mississippi where I work when I'm home during the summers and holidays. The Regal in-house program is designed to raise funds for the Regal Foundation’s “Stars of Hope, Shine for a Brighter Tomorrow” fundraiser campaign by asking for $1 donations at concessions.

The money for "StarsOfHope" goes to the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center (stroke rehabilitation), The Will Rogers Institute (lung cancer and pulmonary disease research), Variety the Childrens Charity (for disadvantaged, needy, sick children), and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Our highest ambition is to raise money for these national and local charities through our $250 Gold Stars. Not only is the $250 Gold Star donation an important contribution, but it is also an enormous advertising opportunity for any company that purchases the Gold Star.

When company's make a donation, a Gold Star will bare the company’s logo and will be displayed at the front of Westbrook Cinema’s main lobby for the theater’s daily patrons to see through-out the summer. And to signify the importance of the company's contribution, the Gold Star will be incased in its own display frame.

Unfortunetely during this past summer, the economy was just starting to go through its financial strife that led to this year's recession. With a small city population of 9,861 like Brookhaven's, it's hard to get donations, especially when most of that money goes to local junior baseball/softball leagues.

But thankfully despite these factors, one man named Richard K. Furr did make a personal donation of $50 to the campaign. So to thank him for his contribution I made a point that the theater would give Furr a thank you letter this Christmas with two free Regal movie passes.

Being able to say "Thank You" creates a better, personal relationship. And at the end of the day, people need to know you appreciate them.

Code of Ethics

2008-12-15T18:51:00.003-06:00

A journalist’s personal code of ethics is his or her guide of morals and objectivity to create a sense of, if anything, personal credibility. Through such a code, the journalist establishes a trust and understanding with the stakeholders.

As a student of the public relations side of the profession, I believe in order to obtain the highest moral standard of excellence; elements of both the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) code of ethics and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) code of ethics must be fused. They are but shadowy reflections of each other and to reach what is best for the stakeholders requires a constant reflection of both standards.

When considering an ethical situation, there are ways to focus your decision making process. First ask yourself how you would feel if the story were written about you. Consult others as well. Co-workers can provide great insight with their own experiences. See what the community thinks. What are their values? Getting the opinions of those outside the workspace is a great way to get perspective. Also, view the editor’s opinion. Whether a journalist agrees or not, it will help better his or her understanding before making the final decision. But most importantly, journalists should listen to their own instincts.

Free Flow of Information, Acting Independently and Seeking the Truth
Free flow of accurate and truthful information is essential to serving the public interest and contributing to informed decision making in a democratic society. As a journalist/agent of PR, it is our duty to always keep the interest of the public our number one goal.

Even when the effects of such coverage may do self harm, the outcome creates higher credibility with the stakeholders. Failing to do so is unethical and leads to overall failure. Newspapers have lost credibility from withholding information and corporations have collapsed.

Minimizing Harm and Competition
A journalist must show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Stories dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects must be held with care. Those involving tragedy must also be handled with sensitivity. Journalists are not in the business of bringing harm to others.

The same aspect goes for public relations. Professionals in PR should promote a healthy and fair competition among its rival entities. Intentionally bringing harm is immoral to the professional and a poor representation of the corporation he or she represents.

Accountability
A journalist/ agent of PR must always seek to retain and grow in their moral standards. It is important to encourage public critique and to invite open discussion over journalistic and corporation conduct.

They must abide by their standards and expose the unethical standards of others. A newspaper or corporation must know when to admit their mistakes and act positively to correct themselves. Accountability is a direct influence to stakeholder credibility.

Privacy and Safeguarding Confidences
A journalist should respect the boundaries of public and private information if it is not information concerning the community. This especially applies to information that is potentially harmful to the subject. Obtaining information through questionable means is immoral.

As an agent of public relations, it is crucial to safeguard the confidences and privacy rights of present, former and perspective clients and employees. This includes privileged, confidential, or insider information gained from a client or organization. The only exception to this principle is if the information is harmful to the public. Otherwise, leaking such information is an unethical procedure.

Diversity
Understanding diversity is a key element to any journalist/ Agent of PR when in the field. It is always important to stay in tune with the cultural, racial and gender concerns of others that we work with and write about. By doing this, The professional practitioner creates a stronger sense of trust and respect among his or her peers and stakeholders. Failing to keep these aspects in mind can result in personal harm to the reputation of the individual, the corporation or newspaper, and possibly the community's moral.

As a Rule
As a rule it is important to always retain advocacy, honestly, expertise, independence and fairness.

My NYC Playlist

2008-12-05T20:28:00.008-06:00

To continue in showing a personal side of myself on my blog, I wanted to share one of my favorite playlists on my computer. This my collection of songs about New York City.

“Welcome to New York City” – Cam’ron and Jay Z
“New York, New York” – Frank Sinatra
“On Broadway” – George Benson
“Hey There Delilah” – Plain White t’s
“Once Upon a Time in New York City” – Huey Lewis
“Marching Bands of Manhattan” – Death Cab for Cutie
“A Heart in New York” – Simon and Garfunkel
“Angel of Harlem” – U2
“New York State of Mind” – Billy Joel
“Nights on Broadway” – Bee Gees
“In a New York Minute” – Eagles
“Another Rainy Day in New York City” – Chicago

Each song has a different feeling genre to it; including alternative/indie, rap, disco, swing, pop, acoustic, and classic rock. I miss New York and every now and then I need these songs to help keep me focused on finding my way back there again. And Let's face it, these songs put me in that "New York State of Mind."

Designing the J-Dept t-shirt

2008-11-27T23:19:00.010-06:00

So as the Vice-President of the Ole Miss chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), I will be designing the Official Journalism Department t-shirts SPJ will be selling next semester.

Department t-shirts are common at Ole Miss. I have seen shirts for the Business and Pharmacy schools as well as the Psychology Department. I'm especially proud because this will be the Journalism Department's first shirt.

Based on specifications from our advisor, Dr. Wickham, and some preferences of my own, I have come up with three basic concepts. The color scheme for each shirt is royal blue with white text to set a more imperial feel. Though each front and back can be mix matched, I've purposefully laid them side by side with the design they best compliment.

The front for the first design is a combination of the Journalism Department logo and the school crest. The back is the first amendment of the constitution. Its look is more of a slight regal tone. Down side is that when I finished it I realized the front was almost a rip off of the university's presidential debate t-shirt.

The second design focuses on the the Journalism logo itself on the front. Since it is much more simple than the other, I needed to make the back of the shirt much louder than the first design. On the back, the three major student organizations of the Journalism Department are featured; SPJ, the National Association of Black Journalists and the Public Relations Association of Mississippi. Since the shirt is SPJ sponsored I did show a little favoritism towards the size of our logo.

The third design for the shirt is definitely my favorite of the three. It is a combination of all of the previous elements for a great overall effect. The front is similar to that of the department's desktop backgrounds in the computer labs and will be more familiar with students. That layout was originally created by Noah Bunn. On the back of the shirt, all of the organizations are once again displayed and the first amendment is below them. As far as which design is used, I would bank on this one.

Very Superstitious

2008-11-25T01:16:00.008-06:00

Superstition is a relatively silly concept. The idea that something as trivial as a black cat crossing your path, breaking a looking glass, or wearing that lucky pair of un-washed boxers could determine your fate is pretty un-circumstantial and un-realistic.

Yet so many athletic team members and high powered business executives are some of the worst when it comes to superstitious ritual.

But who am I to judge... I'm just as bad as they are!

When it comes to the number 13, I'm about as superstitious as it gets. I never allow my radio volume to rest on 13. I never finish any quantity of things to total the number 13. I'm especially reluctant when it comes to Friday the 13th. Mostly I justify this by that fact that bad things have actually happened to me when this number is involved. July, Friday 13, 2007 was one of the worst days of my life.

This journal entry is my 13th which is why I'm ranting about “Superstition.” But let’s face it, "Superstition ain't the way."

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P.S. That whole "the tail side of a penny is bad luck" is just insane. How is that bad luck? Who cares what side you found it on! You are ONE cent richer than you were before you found the penny! That sounds like good luck to me!!

Man of the Man Committee

2008-11-23T02:10:00.008-06:00

Recently I was appointed as the new head of the Man Committee in our fraternity of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. In Sinfonia, there is the Executive Committee (EC) followed by three separate committees to help bring more focus and organization to our fraternity's mission. The head of each committee reports to the EC.

The individual committees include the divisions of Music, Money and Man. In the Man Committee, we focus on social coordinated events such as brotherhood builders for the probationary and collegiate brothers.

As the new head of the committee, I have two major goals for next semester. The first is Sinfonia's first annual spring formal. The other is "Sinfonia Battle of the Bands."

The formal is a spring semester social event that is designed for optimal brotherhood interaction. This event also serves purpose in showing that the Lambda Xi chapter has grown and matured as a chapter to where we are capable of hosting such an event. We are also co-hosting the event with our sister sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota.

It is an event that I have been personally planning since last spring and up until now I have been considered the "unofficial" coordinator of the event.

The other is a project that Sinfonia has been doing for some time.
"Sinfonia Battle of the Bands" features local bands in competition for a framed golden record award. The event serves as a great venue for the bands as well as big event for Sinfonia.

My intent is to gear the event more towards our philanthropic goals by raising the funds we earn from concessions for the VH1 "Save the Music" Foundation.

Both projects are in their early stages of development and I will be focusing a good bit of time during the holiday break to get them further in motion.

The committee has already discussed some brotherhood builders for next semester so we're definitely off to a great start on that as well.

--------------
Above design: formal concept logo by me.
Below design: Battle of the Bands concept logo by Matt McNulty.

"Obama Drama" Analysis

2008-11-19T22:34:00.005-06:00

In the scope of things, to me the greatest triumph in President Elect Barack Obama’s election campaign was the 30 minute infomercial. I definitely want to give a personal analysis of its affect on voters.

In the end, 33.5 million people watched the 30 minute "Obama-drama" Wednesday, October 29th during prime time. The infomercial aired on seven networks including: CBS, NBC, Fox, Univision, MSNBC, BET and TV One. The show, estimated to have cost more than $4 million, marked the first time a presidential candidate used an infomercial to press his candidacy since Ross Perot in 1992.

To be frank, it was a very moving commercial; Romanticized yes, but idealistic and surreal. And for some strange reason, Americans love amber waves of grain across a television screen. The infomercial did not just focus his goals but gave the story of Americans he met along his campaign trail and how his plans will help benefit them.

A key subliminal scene was when you were with Obama in the office. Notice that office seems to resemble that of... an Oval Office! By doing this, Obama was able to give Americans the ease of comfort in seeing him in such a position. It was a very key element that gave undecided voters the appearance of Obama being more than "ready" to step into the role of a world leader.

The infomercial also clearly presented the specifics of Obama's plans to address the most pressing issues. When it comes to undecided voters, they want the “specifics.” Within the biographical parts of the piece, Obama's life story was reiterated as epitomizing the American dream. This was a great way of re-enforcing the “I’m just like you” ideology.

Also, I couldn't help but get hysterical when McCain retaliated to the infomercial saying that Obama's ad was paid for by “broken promises.” If McCain had the funds, he would have done something similar. Maybe he should have paid more attention to Obama's fundraising stategy.

His whole campaign, maximizing the use of the media and internet, was brilliant. Obama definitely put a bench mark in political campaigning by using the internet to raise funds and support.

Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if the Obama infomercial came out on DVD with an Extended Director's Cut and Bonus Features including deleted scenes, a gag reel and the Official Obama Soundtrack considering the millions of dollars he spent just producing and broadcasting this on the networks.

But in the end, such a bold marketing move did exactly what Obama needed for a final push on undecided voters to win the election.

The Great Collapse

2008-11-18T23:31:00.009-06:00

A recent in depth report I wrote for THE OXFORD EAGLE concerning the current decline in the local automobile industry.
-----------------------
"Local dealerships cope with soft economy"
By Andrew M. Scott
EAGLE Contributor

One of the many effects of the dramatic drop in the stock market is the corresponding drop in vehicle sales being felt by dealerships every where.

“With a combination of credit restraints and the fear factor of the crash of the stock market, people have essentially stopped car sales,” Oxford’s Chandler Motor Co. President Lawrence Chandler said.

In a recent report from Reuters, in the coming months as many as 3,800 U.S. car dealerships could fail, or nearly one in five across the nation.

As a reminder of the times, an automotive magazine is sprawled across Chandler’s desk with the bold headline, “The Great Collapse.” Consumers and lenders seem to be tightening their belts more these days, he said.

“People who are credit worthy are not buying because they have experienced significant losses in their net worth,” Chandler said. “And people who have lower credit scores who could normally get financing are now finding the door is closed.”

At Cannon Motor Co., 1801 W. Jackson Ave., new car manager Randell Naramore said Cannon is feeling the same effects.

“It’s a lot slower and most of all of your lenders have gotten a lot tighter on who they’re going to lend money to,” Naramore said.

Both, however, remain positive about the customer.

“It’s obviously a buyer’s market and they know they’re getting a great deal and you’re encouraging them to shop around,” Naramore said, “Most dealerships are really competitive right now. We need to move inventory — its no secret.”

“We are taking action to control inventories and reduce expenses where possible,” Chandler said, “It’s a national economic crisis and actions of individual car dealers have little impact on the overall consumer confidence.”

Dekki Jones, assistant sales manager at Belk Ford Mercury Toyota Inc., said they are also increasing incentives.

“ Last month was the first it had really affected us with a sales drop of 41 percent,” Jones said.

“What I think is, people sit at home and watch too much TV,” Jones said about consumers’ wringing their hands over the economy. “Forget about it. Just go out and work and live your life.”

Despite the current crisis, the company’s new and pre-owned sales representative Dennis Freeouf is optimistic.

“I agree with the philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel — history is cyclic and so is the economy,” Freeouf said. “If you’ll go through a text book, you’ll see that though times are rough, there is a light on the other side.”

His main confidence remains in the product.

“Despite the current situation, from what we’re doing, we’ve remained in the top 20 in the state in sales,” Freeouf said. “We do not like turn over; customers do not like turnovers. Customers like a product bought from a company they like and that will follow through.”

But, according to The Detroit Free Press statistics remain low. Across the nation, Toyota sales dropped 32.2 percent, Chrysler sales fell 33 percent and Honda sales were down 28 percent in the past few months. With Ford, sales were down 33.8 percent, 22.5 percent at Lincoln, 43.2 percent, Chrysler sales at 33 percent, and Honda sales down 28 percent.

Chandler said he believes this is a problem the whole nation will have to contend with in order to make change.

“It’s such an enormous issue that I think everyone is frustrated whether you own a dealership, restaurant, small business or factory,” Chandler said. “The solution rests with the combined efforts of all Americans.”

Reports were circulated last week that poor market conditions had convinced Toyota officials to delay the opening of the company’s Blue Springs plant until 2011, but the company is dismissing these media reports, according to AutomotiveWorld.com Toyota officials are saying that for the moment at least, the company plans to continue with preparations to open the facility in 2010.

Published: November 17, 2008
THE OXFORD EAGLE
http://www.oxfordeagle.com/

Going to Jail

2008-11-15T00:34:00.004-06:00

So last Friday I went to jail at the Lafayette County Detention Center. It was a very cold and bleak place. It was probably the most creeped out I have been in quite some time.

In two separate cell blocks were the DUI and public drunk arrests from the night before. One was for the guys to sleep in, the other for the girls. The one girl I saw was quiet and hid behind her blanket. The guys on the other hand, were very mocking.

Other cells had convicts in them. Theirs were dim and most of them were asleep except one who was sitting on the floor next to the bars. He just kept glaring at me. His staring would have been more disturbing if he had not been starring at the other eight members of my Advance Reporting class.

Yes, I went to jail as part of a class field trip. I bet I had you going there for a minute. The detention center was just one trip we made in relation to Dr. Kathleen Wickham's emphasis study on criminal case reporting. Our other trips included the federal and circuit courts.

But the detention center was probably the most spine-chilling field trip I have EVER been on. While on the first floor, we viewed the fingerprinting station, the visitors booths, and the maximum security holding cells for prisoners that go out of control. Every other room we went through was another checkpoint for clearance.

On the third floor we saw the court yard and the library which the prisoners choose between for their one hour of free time each day. Then we went to where the year long convicts who were a danger to society are held.

It was strange looking at them as they came to the window to look at us through the 18 inch glass that divided us. The glass itself had a crack in it where one of the prisoners had punched it with his fist two weeks earlier. For the convicts, seeing people was a change from the everyday of sitting in a cell and doing nothing but watch television and clean. For the class, it was a very disturbing sensation of feeling as though we were looking into a human zoo.

Interestingly enough, I learned that convicts can have a small allowance to purchase books and candy. Jails do not provide toilet paper, so convicts have to purchase their own toiletries as well. The conditions are very constricting with their day to day schedule. Each holding area holds a max of 12 cells with one shower. The lighting is dark and the walls are gray. Just being in there for a week would seem dismal when some people stay there for a year.

Hope that you never find yourself on the other side of the 18 inch glass.

Dreams of New York City

2008-11-13T22:44:00.015-06:00

So let's talk about the one aspect of the future that is always on my mind, New York City.

Back in the first week of April, I got the chance to go to NYC for the NIT tournament with the Ole Miss basketball team "Rebel Rebound Sound" pep band. The three short days that we were there opened my eyes to a world of opportunity I had never truly considered before.

I fell in love with everything about New York. The constant sense of adventure and excitement was intoxicating. Getting to play in Madison Square Garden was incredible. Broadway and Times Square were amazing. I could spend forever in Central Park. There were even moments where I road the subways by myself.

One time on the subway, just as the doors were closing, a group of young black men jumped on at the last minute. The leader yelled out "Listen up everyone, we've got a very important announcement!" Then they broke out into doo wap a capella for the rest of the ride to the next station. It was great. Mostly it was about political propaganda and the count down until Pres. Bush leaves office. I couldn't help but laugh. They did it in a unique way that drew interest.

The most wonderful moment for me was from the 80th floor of the Empire State Building. It was almost midnight and I could not stop thinking about how I wished none of this would end and I could stay in New York. I thought about a lot that night while overlooking the cityscape. Mostly, I thought about the future. The trip was an epic event that pushed me to dream for something more...

So what's the Plan? I have developed two options.

THE FIRST: is the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. For that I've started researching admissions standards, funding and housing. The great aspect to CUNY is that it is located in Times Square and the journalism school helps to provide you with a paid internship during the summer of your spring and fall semesters.

THE SECOND: is probably the most daringly insane aspiration I have yet to conceive, the NBC Page Program. to quote the New York Times, "7,000 people apply for 60 to 85 slots each year, making the page program about 10 times as competitive as admission to Harvard or Yale."

Both of these dreams will take a lot of hard work to accomplish and my focus is on BOTH of them. To be honest, I have never been filled with so much Hope and Fear at the same time. But I believe that you should use fear to compel you; otherwise, it will destroy you. It will be difficult but the odds have never stopped me before.

Someday I will wake up again in the city that never sleeps and it will be so much more than just a dream, but instead a reality.

"Keep your dream alive
Dreaming is still how the strong survive
Once upon a time in New York City."
(Huey Lewis, Oliver and Company Soundtrack)

----------------------------------------
Above Photo: O'Bryon Pams, Holli Lancaster, me, and Becca Roberts in Times Square.
Below Photo: The south side New York cityscape from the Empire State Building.

The NBC Internship

2008-11-12T16:18:00.012-06:00

It is a very cold 6:30 a.m. on September 26 and the four shot espresso and two skim milk lattes in my hands are not getting any warmer. At this point in the day, the magnetometers (Mags) are not allowing liquids in the building. At this point, there is only one way to resolve the issue.

“Sir, we’ll let you pass through this time,” the secret serviceman said, “But you’re going to have to taste test them first.”

Without any other choice, I took a sip from each coffee. The espresso was horribly strong. Needless to say, I would not be telling NBC News (CENSORED) what I had to do to get her coffee that morning.

That was just one of many obstacles I faced as a University of Mississippi Presidential Debate intern during the week of the first debate, rushing from one corner of Oxford to another, making constant supply trips to whatever store still had supplies, and always making it just in time.

On average, I made three to four supply trips to Wal-Mart and other businesses each day during the week. Every time I was at Wal-Mart there were always other network interns rushing about as well.

During the internship, I worked for NBC Nightly News and Specials Senior Production Manager Maralyn Gelefsky. It was amazing to work for Ms. Maralyn. She had a lot of experience for me to learn from.

The work that the other 11 NBC selected interns and I did for Gelefsky usually varied from picking up reporters to shuttle different locations, writing emails to correspondents, helping set up equipment, and making various supply runs. Fellow intern Sarah Cure and I even had to chart the best travel route from (CENSORED).

But despite being constantly busy, I did take the time to learn from the experience as it unfolded throughout the week. It was pretty exciting getting to see NBC news in action. The diligence and the work speed of the crew was amazing.

During my time, I kept up with as much of the process as I could during the week; including assembly, production and dis-assembly. I also got to work directly for retired news anchor Tom Brokaw and anchor Brian Williams.

The funniest moment for me was when Brokaw and his wife, Meredith, and I were at a gas station early Saturday morning. As he and I stepped up to the entrance of the Chevron, a little old man in a cap walked up to Brokaw and asked “Are you who I think you are?” Brokaw jokingly said “No, I’m not Eli Manning.”

And believe it or not, I passed through the Mags so many times on Friday that Secret Service and I knew each other on a first name basis by mid-day.

And then there was the night before the debate. It was about 11:30 and we had packed up for the night. Before I left I sat outside in front of the NBC workspace and just watched the people go by as well as the changing colors of the Gertrude Ford Center. Starring up at it gave me memories of when my family would go to Disney World. We would always finish our last night at the Magic Kingdom and I would stare at Cinderella's Castle one last time in awe. I could feel that same peace and contentment looking up at the Ford Center. I could feel the magic...

Overall, with very little sleep throughout the week, the internship was worth it for me. I took every opportunity to be a part of the experience. If it was up to me, I’d still be a part of it right now and maybe one day, I will.

--------------------------------------
Above Photo: Anchor Tom Brokaw, Me, Senior Production Manager Maralyn Gelefsky.
Below Photo: The Gertrude Ford Center the night before the debate.
NOTE: parts of this entry were censored and other events left out in the interest of the NBC/Universal privacy statement.

Debate This, Ole Miss Entries (Election Day)

2008-11-12T15:51:00.003-06:00

A compilation of entries from election day.
----------------------
The Obama Nation / You Stay Classy, America
Well... it's time to come out of the political closest...
I voted for Obama!!!!! Surprise!!!!!...
Wait, what do mean you could already tell? (Blushes)

Anyway, Last night was an epic night in American history with the election of the first black man to be President of the United States of America. It was a beautiful moment, with the results coming a lot sooner than most elections in the past. It is definitely one of the greatest presidential elections of our time. The world knew it was over when Ohio turned, but the defining moment was when the entire western seaboard came in pushing him over the 270 electoral college votes needed. When that happened, it was over, The Presidency was Barack Obama's. We now find Obama's 349 electoral votes to McCain's 173.

Sadly though, I was disappointed that my home county and Mississippi's electoral votes went Republican for McCain. Here's the kicker though, I didn't vote all Democrat! For Mississippi I voted Republican for Roger Wicker who also won! That is my testament to the ideal that you should vote for what the candidate believes and not necessarily the party.

I'll never forget the anticipation of sitting here in my apartment at Campus Creek with my roommates awaiting that wonderful moment. And across the country, scenes of rejoice filled the television screen. MSNBC's pan of the citizens across the city Chicago was amazing and they even showed a candid shot of Jesse Jackson crying in the crowd. Rockefeller "Election Plaza" in New York City was beautiful as crowds cried and cheered in glee. It was a moment the world would not forget.

And even in all the celebration, Obama has already started choosing his staff with the acceptance of Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel with the job of Chief of Staff for the Obama White House.

Both candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama have been outstanding in their strides over the past few months. And I greatly respect McCain’s support and good will to Obama’s election. As President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden now prepare for a difficult future ahead, I pray that they find the right path to lead us. I believe in a brighter future and I believe that with God's help, Obama can guide the way.

But it is not just up to Obama to do so. This is our nation and together we can bring change and heal our wounds. Together we will find that path through faith, strength and wisdom. The future is for us to decide.

Change... is here!

Posted by Andrew M. Scott 11/05/2008 02:12:00 PM

Debate This, Ole Miss Entries (Thoughts on Music)

2008-11-12T15:41:00.003-06:00

"I Can Go the Distance"
So like an idiot, I did not get my absentee ballot application accepted in time for the election.

But because of the significance of this election and the integrity of my positions til this night, I would not back down and I am voting in this election.

Earlier tonight, as soon as I got out of band, I made the long 4 hour drive from Oxford, MS to my hometown of Brookhaven, MS. Along the way I made only one stop for gas and I drove straight on from there. Thankfully I have no classes other than band on Tuesdays. Later today I will go to the lodge building near my house and cast my vote for the next presidential candidate. Very shortly afterwards, I will take my next 4 hour trip back to Oxford just in time for band. Afterwards, I'll sleep.

To be honest, It's worth it to me! This election and our future are too important not to find a way to vote. To not vote would make me a hypocrit to everything I have said and written in the past few months. For me, I have literally "gone the distance."

"I know ev'ry mile
Will be worth my while
When I go the distance
I'll be right where I belong."
("Go The Distance" - Michael Bolton, Hercules Soundtrack)
Posted by Andrew M. Scott 11/04/2008 12:57:00 AM

"If You're Out There"
Grammy Award winning recording artist and concert performer John Legend premiered his new song, "If You're Out There," during the opening of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado earlier this semester.

The song is an amazing call-to-action and evocation of human potential. "If You're Out There" reflects the themes of hope and change, responsibility and leadership, and commitment to a better tomorrow expressed in the principles of Barack Obama's campaign and the hearts of the American people.

In these troubling few months, the words of this song have become more meaningful in our need for inspiration and hope. Legend has definitely set the tone; one I can feel coursing through my veins in anticipation as the moment draws closer until a new President is named and America prepares for an uncertain future that will rely not only on a president, but ourselves.

When you listen to this song for yourself, let it light the darkness and give you inspiration.

"Oh I was looking for a song to sing
I searched for a leader
But the leader was me
We were looking for the world to change
We can be heroes
Just go on and say
If you're out there
Sing along with me..."
-John Legend
Posted by Andrew M. Scott 11/04/2008 12:09:00 AM

Debate This, Ole Miss Entries (Synonyms for Stupid)

2008-11-12T00:17:00.004-06:00

Deceit
So apparently in Pittsburgh, a 20-year-old college student by the name of Amy Todd made the claim that an Obama supporter physically abused her.

In her story, Todd, who is white, described being robbed, pinned to the ground and having the letter "B" scratched on her face. She described the attack as a politically inspired battery by a black man who told her he was going to "teach her a lesson" for supporting the Republican presidential candidate, and that she was going to become an Obama supporter.

She later admitted to authorities on Friday that the story was a hoax.

Todd is now awaiting arraignment on the misdemeanor false-report charge, which is punishable by up to two years in prison. She is claiming to be mentally unstable… Yeah… Sure…

The most obvious factor to me as I first saw pictures of Todd was that the letter "B" was backwards! Why would someone write the "B" backwards? Someone who is scratching it into themselves in a mirror maybe?! *cough, liar*

And of course there was the ATM surveillance video that showed no such assault. *cough, liar*

Either way, Todd is a Republican who was trying to help McCain/Palin to win the state, or she is just desperate for fame. The most troubling aspect is the racial element and implications in her story. Whether to fuel racial divide to help a presidential campaign or a sick stunt, the incident is sad and pathetic.

And her actions have now caused voters to view the Republican Party as desperate in its attempts to derail Obama at the last minute. And it sets a shameful mark on College Republicans. Also, I’m sure Texas can’t be very happy about her either. Honestly, she should have thought more about the consequences of her actions and how it would affect the party she so cares to help.

I have friends who are College Republicans, and this incident is an insult to their integrity and honor. One of my closest friends is a Texan and this is an insult to him as well.

Needless to say, Todd should be ashamed of her actions, the effects they will have on others, and the lack of personal dignity in herself as a person.

“Oh, what a tangled web we weave…”
Posted by Andrew M. Scott 10/25/2008 12:38:00 AM

Ignorance
One thing that still frustrates me from time to time is continued, uninformed ignorance. Last week while leaving a gas station I heard a statement I thought was finally over.

"I'm not voting for a Muslim."
- elderly woman

Honestly, I believed that kind of narrow minded, ill-informed viewpoint had finally been smothered and the thought that there are still people in America under this assumption appalls me. It makes sense though, despite the media's "mostly" successful effort to smother this ridiculous rumor, the Internet has played a vivid role in keeping that concept alive.

To make matters worse, this morning on facebook I came across a group titled "the country was founded in god we trust not Allah so FORGET OBAMA!!" In the group's recent news:

"All the same I have discovered something that the court doesn't know, the fact that I pray to God in American (HIS language) makes me more American than other people. "In God we Trust" means that I, as a white Christian, am entitled to reign over lesser Americans, and I'll be [CENSORED] if those lesser Americans try to elect some uppity [CENSORED], elitist that tries to act like the universe wasn't invented solely for the pleasure and comfort of Real Americans. (TM.) Americhrist Over All!" - Josh Beran (UNL)

When I read this, my stomach wrenched.

The group is ridiculous and has had no activity for some months now. The realization that there are still members in association with this group and the views it stands behind is horrible. Another prime example of this continued ignorance was found in the chat thread of the facebook group "Stop Barack Obama (One Million Strong and Growing)" photo 24 concerning Obama's election.

"Because my dear friend its the easy way to get the other terrorists into the country and take us over. the terrorists want obama to win because hes muslim. just like them."- Kathryn Hughes, June 21st, 2008

An older example of this dare I say "Backwoods" type of commentating I discovered in a youtube video back in February. The video was taken by Rocketboom field correspondent and The Uptake producer Chuck Olsen who talks to Christian Fundamentalists about Mike Huckabee, Barack Obama, and the End Times in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

Needless to say, the video is so horrible the viewer can't help but laugh at the level of ignorance in the interviewees answers. In the video, Obama is accused of wanting to take oath from the Koran, not saluting the flag and other trite, misinformed statements.

One of the members of the church's congregation even says that her information was from "one of our church members who has been keeping up with what Obama's comments are."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpJfWOWkB2Q

It is scary to know that there are individuals like these across the country with such a deformed scope of truth. There is no excuse. The fact of the matter is individuals need to hold themselves to a higher standard of knowledge and not ignorant assumptions and rumors. If an individual is going to say something, fact check it and know the truth of the information before hand.

Ignorance = No Respect
Posted by Andrew M. Scott 10/23/2008 08:55:00 PM

Debate This, Ole Miss Entries (Economic Crisis)

2008-11-10T10:28:00.010-06:00

This is a general coverage of the current economic crisis and Wall Street. I'll cut to the chase about the moral of these three blogs... STAY IN SCHOOL!
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The Reasons Three and the Future After
So in a recent New York Times article 'Three Trends and a Train Wreck' by TYLER COWEN, he covers three basic elements to the economic crisis.

He first goes on to state that "The crisis is global in nature and its causes are more general and less country-specific than is commonly reflected in the political discourse of any single nation. Many countries — not just the United States — came to have fundamentally unsound banking systems. If Japan remains an exception, it is only because it already suffered through similar problems in the 1990s."

The effects are global and just about everyone is suffering. In the article he gives the 3 underlyng resons. His first trend is cited as a positive one: an enormous growth in wealth that needed to be moved into investments. Of course, the trouble is whether that wealth has been invested in an effective and prudent way. This leads to the second trend, the greater willingness of both individuals and financial institutions to take on risk. The third component has been weak governance and oversight, including inadequate control and monitoring. In the end, the government's and the market's fail!

So what does this mean for us? Stay in school!!! The world just got alot scarier. Actually, in light of all that has happened I have taken a much more specific interest in my own future. From what classes I have to take to graduate, to what I have to do and where to go for graduate school. I've taken a long hard look at exactly what I have to do in the five years after I've finished all of my schooling. I hope the effects of this current crisis have done the same for my fellow classmates, because the day is coming!
Posted by Andrew M. Scott 10/18/2008 10:17:00 PM

Bailout of the Future?
In the words of Dr. Emmett Brown from the movie Back to the Future, "GREAT SCOTT!"

Since the government's landmark $700 billion bank bailout on October 3, I've had alot of time to watch the continued lack of effectiveness and a still faultering economy.

To be honest the U.S. is not really in a position to rescue bankrupt companies. The fact of the matter is that it is itself bankrupt. And just as the financial industry has been an enabler of consumer deficit spending, foreign governments have enabled the U.S. government to spend more than it brings in, by buying up U.S. debt. Foreign countries now own more than half of U.S. debt, compared with 5 percent 20 years ago. The biggest outside holder of U.S. debt is China.

A $700 billion bailout only scratchs the surface of our debt. We cannot continue to grow, based on borrowing against the future. The domestic finance is lack, and our foreign enablers are picking up on it. The economy will sqeeze, our standard of living will decline, and more people will become poor and unemployed. Unfortunetally, we're in for tough times and the road is rough ahead.
Posted by Andrew M. Scott 10/28/2008 02:22:00 PM

Bailout of the Future? Part II
In the words of Marty McFly from the movie Back to the Future, "This is heavy!"

In the blog precursing to this, I addressed the bleak aspect of the economy's fate. But what about "us" as individuals? What about us in the general college bracket of 18-25?

The best advise that I have gotten from my teachers is simple and to the point. Stay in school! With the economy and stock market in a constant state of flux, the best thing for students in college to do in order to insure a financially secure future is to focus on building our qualifications for the job market. Get a degree that will get you somewhere in life. Go further and get a Master's that will push you above the crowd. And by all means, find good, quality internships. I'm not talking about working at McDonalds or Burger King for the summer. I'm talking about something that will strengthen you in your career path. This all may sound redundant but it's true.

With financing almost impossible, the homeowning market slowing to a hault, corporations going bankrupt, and a constant increase in cost of living; it is time to hold our ground as individuals to determine our own fate. Think smart. Build a better future. Stay in school!
Posted by Andrew M. Scott 10/28/2008 08:53:00 PM

Debate This, Ole Miss Entries (General Issues)

2008-11-10T09:55:00.008-06:00

What a Woman!
After having watched Senator Hilary Clinton's DNC speech last night and reading it repeatedly today, I can not help but remain impressed by her eloquence and passion for her supporters to in turn give their support to Senator Barack Obama. And she couldn't be more right when she stated that "This is a fight for the future. And it's a fight we must win."

In her speech she talked about our nation's current crisis concerning job loss, houses gone, falling wages, and rising prices, all of which are major concerns for affecting our middle and lower class. And for McCain to believe that 47 million people without health insurance is not a crisis is disturbing at the least. No good shepard would dare leave any one of his flock lost in the darkest of the woods to be devoured and no president should let any of his people suffer without feeling it a crisis worth ending. In the words of Sen. Clinton "No way. No how. No McCain."

And say what you may about Sen. Clinton (which there have been some pretty nasty things said) but on that stage, she showed us through the powerful emotions and the impact of her words that she is a true leader and if she believes in Obama, we should listen. Paving the way for a new era, she and Sen. Obama have both given our nation's children the reason to believe that any child regardless of sex and race can one day be president of THIS America.

A belief found in her closing statements as she said "That is our duty, to build that bright future, and to teach our children that in America there is no chasm too deep, no barrier too great - and no ceiling too high - for all who work hard, never back down, always keep going, have faith in God, in our country, and in each other."
Posted by Andrew M. Scott 8/27/2008 09:36:00 PM

"The Next President" the energy crisis
Major note before I begin! If you have not read "The Next President," spoiler alert: it's mostly pro Obama!

So unless you've been living under a rock for the past "8 years" you've probably noticed our gas prices have sky rocketed. Under Holbrooke's Foreign Affairs section of "The Next President" he covers this issue in great deal concerning our use of petrodollars. Of course under the Bush administration there has been little urgency to create more efficient alternative energy sources. Not only is this an economical crisis for our country but an environmental one as well.

Currently, both the US and China are the world's major polluters. Holbrooke writes that in a recent trip to china, he brought up the issue of climate friendly technology with senior Chinese officials, who showed interest. Initially there is serious work to be done on both parts to make this happen and China's scepticism of us trying to hold them back is a problem, but that's why we need a strong leader to initiate a successful start to such plans. That's why we need 'the next president'.
Posted by Andrew M. Scott 9/01/2008 11:48:00 AM

America's SPR & Obama
With energy consumption being a key issue with this year's election, Obama has started putting together his own plans to focus on an untaped idea that would prove benificial.

Called an exchange, the plan would help lower the price of oil for consumers, increase the amount of oil in America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), increase energy security, and leave taxpayers paying less and being better set at about $1 billion.

The U.S. created the SPR in 1975, after the Arab oil embargo to protect against oil supply disruptions. The SPR's drawdown capability of 4.4 million barrels of oil per day greatly passes the daily production capacity of Iran, Iraq or Venezuela. So the benifits even out.

Being run by the Energy Department who will allogate pricing, "swaps" that help energy security, refiners and consumers should be a routine part of managing the SPR.
With both the House and Senate having considerered legislation to create such a swap, Obama has now adopted the idea as part of his energy plan.
Posted by Andrew M. Scott 9/13/2008 09:54:00 PM

Slinging Dirt
It happens every four years. No matter who the candidate, the issues, or the credibility of the accusations, it always happens. Campaigns get tense and some times it resorts to "slinging dirt" at the other candidate.

To quote The New York Times, "After back-to-back attack ads by Mr. McCain, including one that misleadingly accused Mr. Obama of endorsing sex education for kindergarten students, the Obama campaign is planning to sharpen attacks on Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin in an effort to counter Mr. McCain’s attempt to present himself as the candidate of change with his choice of Ms. Palin."

McCain, as the instigator of this unfortunate but sadly predictable change in ad campaigns also proded Obama's campaign for saying that Palin is a pig. Leaving the media to frenzy on it, any person with common sense could see that it was a reference to the McCain platform and not Palin.

It's sad to think these ads about pigs and insults are from a candidate who promised to avoid negative campaigning.

But unfornately, even Obama slipped in one of his latest ads, claiming McCain repeatedly cut funding for schools, when McCain had actually voted three times to increase education spending.

If this type of campaign distortion continues, the "dirt" may get so "muddy" we will not know who to trust anymore.
Posted by Andrew M. Scott 9/13/2008 11:19:00 AM

Introductions

2008-11-09T23:02:00.004-06:00

To begin with, I'm the big schemer who’s always concocting some crazy idea. The guy who no matter what people say, always believes that “there is no impossible." The one who’s gonna make something of himself in this world. I’ll always be in awe of the arts; from the canvas to the sheet of music. I love hanging out with my friends. I love God and my family. I happen to be the oldest of five children. I was born in the Crescent City (New Orleans) and have lived most of my life in a little city called Brookhaven. One day I see myself retired, on a beach, re-learning how to play the guitar again. For now though, I’m just taking life one day at a time.

Recently I just finished my internship class for this year's first presidential debate at the University of Mississippi. As part of that internship, we blogged about events before, during, and after the debate until the election on November 4. This blog is meant to fill the void now that my time has ended at http://debatethisolemiss.blogspot.com/

With this blog, I'll briefly reflect my old blog entries and the debate internship. But for the most part this is more of a guideline to keep me focused on my current endeavors; mostly those concerning public relations. Like the chair of our Journalism Department, Dr. Samir Husni "Mr. Magazine" I hope to make something of myself in Public Relations, hence the title "Mr. Public Relations." Or you can call me "Mr. PR" for short, ha ha.

Seriously though, the self proclaimed title is not out of arrogance. It's a desire for a sense of purpose and attainment that I hope to accomplish. By doing this, I'm further pushing myself into what I wish to become. Here I'll talk about issues concerning that aspect of my life as well as others... But I'll mostly focus on the PR side of things.

The banner for my blog is provided from a desktop background image from Blirk.net and is their copyright. I chose it because it reminds me of New York whenever I'm blogging.

Beyond the shadow of a doubt and in every fiber of my being, I know I will one day live and work in New York City doing the thing I love most: Public Relations! This is my blog! This is my journey! Watch me grow!”