Should PR Students Network?

I was asked this week to start researching an article for behind the spin regarding the subject of whether PR students/graduates should network? Primarily the networking at this stage of the game for a student will be completed via social media sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn, PR Open Mic and Facebook but networking can also be done while at work placements and through various CIPR events where students are allowed to attend. At first I didn't think I classed as a social networker but the more I thought about the article more I began to realise that a lot of my contacts have been made or at least maintained via social media sites. Is the networking helping to enhance my career path? Will it make any possible opportunities greater? Will I be offered more opportunities because of it? Only time will tell for me but in the mean time I would be interested to hear your views whether from a student who is for or against networking before graduation or from potential employers themselves.

You Can Now Follow me on Twitter

I have added a new feature to my blog which allows you to follow me on twitter and see my latest updates!

The wonders of modern technology!

Social Media Expert?

I conducted the third 'Social Media' session to my internal team last week mainly focusing on the benefits and power of twitter along with recommendations of how we as a communications department can use the tool. In the afternoon I held a catch up session with my Director of Communications to get him up to speed on how we are currently using it, my research and my recommendations for the future - this generated some positive feedback which I am still contemplating. As I am a placement student I will be leaving the company before September sometime and due to the economic climate they will not be replacing my position. My Director has asked before I leave if I can pass on 'my knowledge and wisdom' to the rest of the marketing and corporate communications associates to ensure that the department continues to move with the times. He expressed that having youth on my side helps with my eagerness to learn and understand social media. As mentioned before his comments got me thinking. All though I am very appreciative of the compliment what qualifies anybody to be a social media 'guru' or 'expert' ? There are no set qualifications to pass nor are there any particular guidelines to follow. An article on ft.com explains how in the current financial climate many organisations and agencies are utilising the use and cost effectiveness of social media tools but "A recent poll of members of the US-based Chief Marketing Officer Council found that a third did not have the internal talent within their marketing departments to engage in new media programmes." What do you determin at internal talent? Someone who can set up a twitter account or someone who uses it effectively? I am sure this is a discussing topic I will have to continue to explore but if anyone can please enlighten me as to how you graduate from the knowledge of social media then please do get in touch. In the mean time I'm off to pack my bags for social media freshers week!

Local Newspapers on the Way Out?

Interestingly enough, last year while at university I enjoyed a talk by the ex-business editor of the Yorkshire Evening Post. He was explaining in depth how the traditional print newspapers may soon be on the way out. At first I was outraged – why would we never want to pay an interest in the news but the more he explained the more it made sense. While sitting at our desks – if we are seen to have an open paper in front of us we are deemed to be wasting time where as if we are looking at our computer screens, searching through Facebook for all our employers know, we are seen to be working. Now, more and more people are receiving their news from the internet – google homepage, the newspapers own websites with far more interactive material. That was a year a go.

Now, I am the first to admit that I gain most of my newsworthy knowledge not only from newspapers own websites but from sources such as twitter and RSS feeds too. I very rarely buy a paper copy of the paper in the week any more simply collecting news items throughout the day electronically.

I was shocked and saddened by the recent announcements of redundancies at Archant’s offices in Norfolk who publish the Eastern Daily Press(EDP) and the Evening News not just because of the obvious negative impact on the people involved but because this is my local paper. Was the editor mentioned previously above right? Is print fading away and fast?

A group was set up on Facebook by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) regarding the amount of redundancies originally announced. On the 16th March Archant retracted their statement and reduced the redundancies by 20 people all due to the support raised from the group. The power of the latest media trend really does fill me with hope. Not only has it got so much power behind it but it was used to support an industry supposedly it is replacing which brings me on to my final point? Is there not enough room for both mediums?

I joke with my mum how the major headline on the local paper never reflects what is happening in the outside world, in the BBC News it will be ‘Interest rates drop to 1.5%’ where as the local paper will lead with ‘Dolly the sheep found live and well’ but all joking aside does it need to? it does fulfil a purpose, It delivers local news to local people. I am the first to believe that this recession will end businesses which should probably end anyway (I am awaiting a barrage of abuse as I write) allowing other businesses to get stronger -a business law of nature if you will but in this case I have to say...Long live the local paper!

Media Guardian has published an interesting podcast involving discussion around the death of local media., to listen to it please click here

To twitter or not to twitter that is the question...

Recently I have been trying to get to grips with the latest social media trend – twitter. Twitter is a status update social media tool allowing you to discuss/announce your latest feed using only 140 characters or less. With a rise in citizen journalism this will be the perfect tool for people to get an idea of an event as it happens from the people closest too it – allowing a range of angles to be covered from the corporate level right down to the innocent bystander.

I am still getting to grips with the modern technology myself but some people have taken it a step further. Drew Benvie, board director at Hotwire PR based in London one of the most active pr agencies on twitter according to PRWeek in February, has started a social media experiment this week by searching on twitter instead of Google for answers. Drew explains that his experiment started when he was looking for a place to eat Sunday lunch near to his home – Google provided too many results where as twitter was more refined and the responses were more personal.

Stephen Waddington, Managing Director of Rainerpr is also interested in the progress of this research and been blogging about his progress.

The experiment mentioned above though is one of many uses twitter claims to have. A friend of mine was able to obtain a BBC interview with a client via twitter after seeing what the journalist was writing about from his status update.

Although I am still learning about the values and technicalities of twitter I am open to the value it may bring to the media industry but what about the mere mortals of the world – will it bring value to their lives also?

For more information on the benefits of twitter Drew has a good ten step guide.

If anyone has any tips for twitter or simply a dummies guide please send it along – I am due to host another social media session for my colleagues in the next couple of weeks so any other aspects regarding twitter you feel I need to cover then please do let me know!

PR More Powerful than advertising

A recent study has announced results that PR is more powerful and financially rewarding than advertising.

The article published in PRWeek announced that 'The Media Prominence Study, conducted by Text 100 research arm Context Analytics, found that in industries that involve more research before purchases are made, such as computing, PR can account for nearly half of brand value.'

This is a statement that I have argued against my peers (admittedly alot of them advertising and marketing based) but would the results have more clout if the study wasn't conducted by a PR agency in the first place.

'Our findings reinforce that PR and communications are important and cost-effective tools that deliver real business value - often at fractions of the cost of advertising,' said Text 100 CEO Aedhmar Hynes.

I can't help but think this wasn't a wise move considering PR is all about presenting an honest and un-biased image.

Max Clifford - PR Guru or spin doctor?

I was reading an artcle at the weekend in the media guardian regarding Max Clifford.

When I was young(er) and considering a career in Public Relations I looked up to Max Clifford often amazed at the power he seemed to have over journalists. My interest in PR moved from my desire to be a journalist so perhaps this is why I seemed to have more interest in his activities but the more I study and the more I work and delve deeper into the world of PR I move increasingly to dislike Clifford's method of PR and question whether it is true 'PR'.

Whether I work within an agency or in-house as part of my role I strive to gain good coverage within print and online media but I don't see this as the only part of my role. I aim to publicise the brand, key messages and build relationships with key stake holders. In the interview it mentions that " Clifford once likened what he did to "playing 15 games of chess a day", and here he has a sticky position from which to try to extricate himself." Is what Clifford practises more likened to issues and crisis management rather than everyday PR? rectyfing or simple managing a situation from escalating further or even at all?

"The good thing about being in my position is that you know so many things. Sometimes a story that was so important for you to stop five years ago isn't now. It's changed. You can suddenly reveal that happened, so you, the journalist, have got a much bigger story." He even implies that occasionally the manipulation comes close to bribery. "Most journalists would sell their own mothers for a great story, but sometimes you're able to make them an offer that they think they shouldn't refuse." A leg up the career ladder, a word in the ear of a friendly editor. "I'll find them a job or I'll come up with something that means they won't lose their job." (Media Guardian 2009)

Although there have been many a time when I have been proved wrong I like to think the world of a journalist isn't so fickle. There have been discussions as to whether the CIPR should introduce codes of conduct and practise to regulate the 'goings on' in the PR world. If the above statement from Clifford is true it may not be a bad idea - allowing real media stories through rather than simply celeb spin to sell the papers.

As an individual I have nothing against Max Clifford and have a level of respect for the amount of coverage he is able to gain - it must take a certain level of expertise to ensure he is as successful as he is today but I am still loathed to call it 'PR' in my eyes it is simply the practise of a spin doctor.

I am open to discussion and debate on the topic...

To read the full article in the Media Guardia please click here.

Catching up with the future

I have decided to move with the times and create an online portfolio. Not only is it more eco-friendly (no more pretty paper and sticky back plastic) it will save my hands from red raw blisters carrying it around from interview to interview but above all else it means that potential employers, peers, colleagues and lecturers can see examples of my work without me being in the room with them. I can update it as I go along with current pieces of work and simply send the link to whoever wishes to view the website. I am still learning all the different applications available but hopefully I am catching up with the times! Check it out at www.emmalong.weebly.com

LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!

It is at this time that the inner child comes out to play - where my adult head says "stay inside where it's warm or you might slip outside" the young(er) side of me dives backwards into the snow to make snow angels! A forced day off came at the shock to everyone it seems especilly the London Transport system which, as always, came to a grinding halt at the first sign of a flake of snow. Other countries, Canade for example, had approx the same amount of snow but was still in good working order unlike the good ol' UK but still better to be safe than sorry with the first bus crash at 4.30am is anyone really surprised? This happens every year! So as I settle at my desk in the sparesly occupated office today I am pleased to see that everyone else seems to have had as much fun yesterday as me! Good to know that everyone elses work was recreational also!

Placement, Communications Assistant at Air Products

I haven't written for a while so thought I had better catch up!

I am currently on my sandwich placement year at Air Products, based at the European Head Office in Surrey, as a Communications Assistant and I love it!

Air Products is an industrial gas company, operating in more than 40 countries with 21,000 employees globally.

I am situated within the Corporate Communications department which has responsibility for corporate messages, speeches, and announcements to internal and external audiences, while forging long lasting community relations. My position is split between three communication areas; internal employee relations, community relations, and external corporate relations reporting respectively to Joanne Hills, Nicola Wilson and Guenaelle Holloway.

I have numerous daily tasks, for all areas, and some exciting individual projects, including:

• CorpNEWS – Our daily employee newsletter. My role includes editing, constructing, and sourcing articles and images before in putting them on to the intranet ready to be emailed daily to our European employees..
• CorpNEWS Round Up – Our weekly employee newsletter, translated into eight European languages, detailing that week's organisational news stories for the organisation.
• Mid-week Mingles – A monthly forum where employees and high level managers meet to discuss organisational changes. I publicise the event, organise the venues and later formulate a report, for all employees, from notes taken during the event.
• Coordinating the Science Ambassador programme – We have Science and Mechanical engineers who visit schools to conduct visual Liquid Nitrogen experiments. We also have a website and are currently working on a training programme and teaching pack for schools to be rolled out across Europe.
• Coordinating the Manchester Camerata partnership – Within my placement we have organised a VIP event in Manchester. We recently held our first Employee Charitable Excellence Awards highlighting the work of our employees within the local community.
• Charity requests – I manage any charity requests that arise, evaluating any requests for financial help and forwarding any project ideas I have to Nicola Wilson.
• Load Movements – Large loads are often moved from our North Wales site to Ellesmere Port Docks. I construct and distribute press releases, and to accommodate the specialised "Load Movement Watchers" audience, we are constructing and will soon launch a Facebook site diarising all load movements along with official and exclusive images of the loads.
• Press Releases – I assist and manage the construction, distribution and chasing of press releases. I also coordinate the logging, filing and distribution of press cuttings ensuring they reach the correct business areas.

   

During my placement I hope to expand my skills in several areas of public relations including:

• Events management - I have already conducted events (the VIP Manchester Camerata event and monthly forums) but have a number of events planned where I can learn and improve my skills.
• My writing skills - I find writing for both different audiences, and purposes, challenging. I am taking a CIPR Writing for Impact course and hope that the continuous writing of press releases and internal news will also help me to improve.
• New media channels - I wanted to learn how this could benefit the business, and have booked a CIPR new media breakfast session. I will share my findings with the rest of the team during my monthly training session, where I highlight any new aspect of news media that I have researched.

 

I have been able to participate / manage so many interesting projects so far and I am only half way through! I feel that I am now at the stage where I am fulfilling my everyday tasks and duties with ease on my own so am now able to take a step up and expand my workload and also increase the standard of my work!