American author Henry Van Dyke once said, "Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse."
Thanksgiving Day is about taking the time to express gratitude that is felt throughout the year. But for corporations and PR agencies, thanking stakeholders one day a year just won't cut it.
Ethics and corporate social responsibility are hot topics in the PR industry today. But what are companies actually doing to give thanks to customers? What will we be expected to do once we get out in the workforce?
PR consultant for Cutting Edge PR Kim Harrison wrote an article titled "Use stewardship to safeguard relationships with your long-term stakeholders."
To develop a comprehensive stewardship plan, Harrison recommends grouping stakeholders based on the potential help or threat they pose to the organization. Then select communications methods to best the group, issue and angle at hand.
Communication techniques Harrison recommends to develop relationships with stakeholders include:
* face-to-face meetings, briefings and telephone contact
* newsletters and background information targeted at specific stakeholder groups
* email information updates
* privileged access to Web information, i.e. on extranets
* invitations to attend events such product launches; boardroom lunches; industry functions including VIP dinners and presentations, exhibitions, displays, sponsored events, charity activities
* corporate hospitality activities such as corporate boxes at sporting and arts events
* privilege offers to cardholders and members of groups
* online activities
As you interview and begin work for jobs or internships, you should constantly keep in mind how you can use your program or campaign to give back to stakeholders and show your gratitude. Not all stewardship efforts have to spend terrific amounts of money. Some ideas might even be free.
This video from McDonald's shows how the sixth most valuable brand in the world strives to overcome negative allegations against it and is now using corporate social responsibility to address such issues as animal cruelty, childhood obesity and energy reductions.
Stand Out in the Public Relations Job Market
For many students, picking classes each semester is as automatic as selecting the next courses on your critical tracking audit. However, as students in a major as competitive as public relations, it is important to diversify yourself from the students sitting on either side of you in class. In a major as multifaceted as PR, it is crucial for you to have a variety of skills in order to be as marketable as possible. UF has a lot of opportunities to offer students, including courses that may not be in the PR department.
One of the very popular and helpful courses for PR students is MMC 3260, Communications on the Internet. In a society that revolves around technology, being able to communicate over the Internet is a vital skill to have. This course focuses on the concept of “mediamorphosis” and how it relates to journalism, advertising, telecommunications and public relations careers. Students in this class build websites as well as learn about web design using Cascading Stylesheets, basic HTML coding and basic Photoshop.
If you are interested in working in a specific area of public relations, I suggest you take classes that will help you specialize in that field. It is important to have background knowledge in your specialization. In addition, it will help you decide whether or not you actually enjoy working in that area. For example, if you are interested in working in healthcare PR, you could look into taking Foundations of Health Education, HSC 3032, Personal and Family Health, HSC 3102, or Health and Medical Technology, HSC 3537.
In an increasingly competitive marketplace, try your best to diversify your portfolio and resume in order to maximize your job opportunities. Research classes that peak your interest and don’t be afraid to step outside of your “critical tracking” comfort zone.
Gap using social media to draw customers
10,000 people "checked in" at Gap on Nov. 5 and received a free pair of jeans using Facebook's new "Deals" feature, according to an article on The Wall Street Journal website.
Gap created a Facebook event that said the following:
Gap created a Facebook event that said the following:
This Friday we’re giving away 10,000 pairs of jeans! Check-in at any Men’s & Women’s Gap using Facebook Places and you could win*. Just show any Gap employee your check-in and you could score a free pair. If you’re too late don’t worry, we’ll let you shop with 40% off any regularly priced item**.
Gap Inc. needed to get customers in its stores and improve sales numbers. Gap is using Facebook's new feature that lets merchants offer deals to its 200 million mobile phone users.
According to this article, each of Gap's 1,000-plus stores received an allotted number of pairs of jeans. Customers who didn't receive free jeans got 40 percent off one full-priced item.
Gap has used other social media like Groupon.com and Foursquare to reach customers in their element.
Gap isn't the only company turning to Facebook Deals. Starbucks, McDonald's and H&M are also using the feature.
Do you think that Facebook Deals will catch on and become a success, or will this be another Facebook feature that fall by the wayside?
Mr. Peanut Gets a New Look. Will it Work?
Mr. Peanut got a new look, and on Tuesday, it will be introduced in an animated Kraft Foods commercial, according to an article posted today on The New York Times' web site. The commercial is part of a campaign the company is launching with the theme "Naturally remarkable."
The company sought to evoke nostalgia in consumers by giving their classic mascot an old-school, 1930s and 1940s style. The once-yellow peanut will be brown and will sport a flannel suit and a sidekick.
The concept, described as "new retro" by Mintel International Group, is one of a dozen trends that will shape 2011's marketing for consumer packaged goods, Mintel said in this press release.
To make Mr. Peanut more engaging, he will also get a voice for the first time ever.
But the big question is, will these changes be effective for Kraft Foods? Will it be worth the $30 million to $35 million the company spent on the campaign? Only time (and consumer spending) will tell.
After all, there is danger in altering a company's logo - as seen with these "10 Major Rebranding Disasters" listed on Business Insider's web site.
What do you think: If it's not broken, don't fix it, or keep up with the consumers' evolving tastes for ads and embrace the retro trend?
The company sought to evoke nostalgia in consumers by giving their classic mascot an old-school, 1930s and 1940s style. The once-yellow peanut will be brown and will sport a flannel suit and a sidekick.
The concept, described as "new retro" by Mintel International Group, is one of a dozen trends that will shape 2011's marketing for consumer packaged goods, Mintel said in this press release.
To make Mr. Peanut more engaging, he will also get a voice for the first time ever.
But the big question is, will these changes be effective for Kraft Foods? Will it be worth the $30 million to $35 million the company spent on the campaign? Only time (and consumer spending) will tell.
After all, there is danger in altering a company's logo - as seen with these "10 Major Rebranding Disasters" listed on Business Insider's web site.
What do you think: If it's not broken, don't fix it, or keep up with the consumers' evolving tastes for ads and embrace the retro trend?
Twitter Chat Craze Continues
Social Media is the “it” thing today. It can make you or break you. It has become a way to brand yourself or a company. For Public Relations, it has become a skill that we must acquire and something we must utilize. One of the most popular social media sites, Twitter, has become the new way to break news and even have conversations. It even is the site of a new craze, I think, called “twitter chats”
The basics of “Twitter chats” were explained in a previous blog. It gave more of a technical explanation on how to use the “Twitter chats.” So refer to that for the basics on hash tags and the ground rules on them.
"Twitter chats” have become a way to network with other professionals and students around the nation. It’s like an on-line conference. There “twitter chats” on any and everything Public Relations. You get great advice, guidance, and general information during these sessions. Some help those by informing other of jobs and internships. I mean, who doesn’t need help finding jobs or internships these days? You network with professionals, and could possibly be talking with future colleagues. Some chats are weekly, some monthly. This keeps the information fresh and recent.
"Twitter chats” have become a way to network with other professionals and students around the nation. It’s like an on-line conference. There “twitter chats” on any and everything Public Relations. You get great advice, guidance, and general information during these sessions. Some help those by informing other of jobs and internships. I mean, who doesn’t need help finding jobs or internships these days? You network with professionals, and could possibly be talking with future colleagues. Some chats are weekly, some monthly. This keeps the information fresh and recent.
You many options to get involved, just in case you miss one here or there. For example, UF PRSSA has gotten wrapped into the craze, and has been holding chats for two semesters now. We have had over a 100 different people participate in these conversations. Current students, alumni and former staff of the College of Journalism and Communications are some of our participants.
It is moderated by the Twitter account: @ufprchat. Follow that account to find out information about our chat. Last Wednesday, October 27th, we held our first one of the semester. It went successfully with 52 people using the hash tag #ufprchat. With a great mix of people, they discussed things from the lessons you’ve learned in your experiences to how you use your social media. To view the transcript, visit the #UFPRCHAT website. It shows our top contributors (hint- good people to follow), and all the information that was provided.
It is moderated by the Twitter account: @ufprchat. Follow that account to find out information about our chat. Last Wednesday, October 27th, we held our first one of the semester. It went successfully with 52 people using the hash tag #ufprchat. With a great mix of people, they discussed things from the lessons you’ve learned in your experiences to how you use your social media. To view the transcript, visit the #UFPRCHAT website. It shows our top contributors (hint- good people to follow), and all the information that was provided.
There will be another #ufprchat this semester, so keep your eyes peeled. Do you want some say in when you want the next chat to happen? You can. It’s simple, follow @ufprchat and follow the link posted on a tweet to the poll. The poll is asking all those who are interested when the next best time for a chat will be.
Don’t miss out on this craze, because basically you’re missing out on an easy, fantastic opportunity to brand yourself and expand your knowledge. It is also a great way to dip your toes into the “Twitter chat” world. Maybe after a few chats, you will be going into the 30 other Public Relation related chats going that go on weekly around Twitter. So join in. Expand your follower list with professionals and students alike. Make a name for yourself.
Don’t miss out on this craze, because basically you’re missing out on an easy, fantastic opportunity to brand yourself and expand your knowledge. It is also a great way to dip your toes into the “Twitter chat” world. Maybe after a few chats, you will be going into the 30 other Public Relation related chats going that go on weekly around Twitter. So join in. Expand your follower list with professionals and students alike. Make a name for yourself.
Welcome back, Gators!
Fellow Gators, it's time. We're about to embark on a great adventure. That is, the 2010-2011 school year. Are you ready?
Challenges will be met. Foes will be overcome. Greatness will be achieved.
Needing some inspiration? Check out 40 inspirational speeches in two minutes.
Enjoy! We know you can do it.
Challenges will be met. Foes will be overcome. Greatness will be achieved.
Needing some inspiration? Check out 40 inspirational speeches in two minutes.
Enjoy! We know you can do it.
Chatting in the age of Social Media: Twitter Chats
Remember the days of classic instant messager, chat rooms, and AIM? The internet has come far from that with the growth of social media. Facebook has a chat feature as it grew over time and now Twitter is being used as a chat tool. Twitter Chats are not set up like your traditional chat room or even a Facebook chat. It is a matter of hashtags, replies, and trending topics. PR practitioners have turned to Twitter chats as a source of networking and social media communication.
For many, Twitter is the place where you go to check out what your favorite celebrities are up to, find out breaking news, or share with your followers what exactly is on your mind. This alone has advantages for Public Relation professionals by being a place to spread the buzz around, to brand yourself, to just letting people get to know you in a sense.
Turns out Twitter holds many other advantages for PR professionals. It can keep you in the loop with the industry and those in it. How? Twitter allows you to search what people are talking about, which is important for professionals since we always want to know what’s going on. A topic you may have not thought about keeping an eye on is the conversation on Public Relation itself. Searching this topic can lead you to finding professionals or other students to follow, and from there your Twitter horizons are endless. Doing this once a week or spur of the moment, you can find yourself reading transcripts of Twitter “chats” or even get involved.
These “chats” are basically tweeting to a hashtag (#_____), a trending topic, or what some may know as putting # in front of a statement. Doing this at the same time various people at that time creates a chat. For those interested or in the field of communications, two common “chats” on twitter are “#prstudchat” and “#journchat”. Some point during the week everyone interested gathers around their Twitter at the same time, refreshes looking for questions, opinions, and advice from fellow practitioners who are located in all parts of the country. The monitors, who are generally professionals who organize the chat, control the questions that will be asked and the topic for that chat. The “chats” can be on any question relating to topics in PR in that week, a crisis, to progression of the profession. There various professionals on Twitter monitor these “chats” making them available to all professional, those interested in PR, and most importantly students on Twitter.
If you miss a chat, don’t worry. These are still good hashtag to search daily. People on Twitter will add them to their tweets, if it’s related to a topic or if they find it beneficial to those who would be involved in the chat. By doing that, it allows it to come up in search results. So, if you miss the opportunity to get involved or feel overwhelmed just check it out and watch. You’ll like what you find.
Even UFPRSSA got into the action. UF alumni even got the idea of creating a #ufprchat. On March 23 at 9 p.m. current students, alum, and even former staff joined in the discussion on topics in communications today from social media to branding yourself for an hour. A transcript of the highlights from the chat is available http://ufprchat.com/2010/03/31/highlights-from-323-ufprchat/ for all to take a look. With a successful first trial and positive feedback, #ufprchat was created its own Twitter page, username ufprchat, and it plans to return for another go. If you joined in last time, or are looking to join in on the future, you should also check out the Twitter page and take the poll on how often you’d like to see it.
Hope to see you there at the next #ufprchat!
For many, Twitter is the place where you go to check out what your favorite celebrities are up to, find out breaking news, or share with your followers what exactly is on your mind. This alone has advantages for Public Relation professionals by being a place to spread the buzz around, to brand yourself, to just letting people get to know you in a sense.
Turns out Twitter holds many other advantages for PR professionals. It can keep you in the loop with the industry and those in it. How? Twitter allows you to search what people are talking about, which is important for professionals since we always want to know what’s going on. A topic you may have not thought about keeping an eye on is the conversation on Public Relation itself. Searching this topic can lead you to finding professionals or other students to follow, and from there your Twitter horizons are endless. Doing this once a week or spur of the moment, you can find yourself reading transcripts of Twitter “chats” or even get involved.
These “chats” are basically tweeting to a hashtag (#_____), a trending topic, or what some may know as putting # in front of a statement. Doing this at the same time various people at that time creates a chat. For those interested or in the field of communications, two common “chats” on twitter are “#prstudchat” and “#journchat”. Some point during the week everyone interested gathers around their Twitter at the same time, refreshes looking for questions, opinions, and advice from fellow practitioners who are located in all parts of the country. The monitors, who are generally professionals who organize the chat, control the questions that will be asked and the topic for that chat. The “chats” can be on any question relating to topics in PR in that week, a crisis, to progression of the profession. There various professionals on Twitter monitor these “chats” making them available to all professional, those interested in PR, and most importantly students on Twitter.
If you miss a chat, don’t worry. These are still good hashtag to search daily. People on Twitter will add them to their tweets, if it’s related to a topic or if they find it beneficial to those who would be involved in the chat. By doing that, it allows it to come up in search results. So, if you miss the opportunity to get involved or feel overwhelmed just check it out and watch. You’ll like what you find.
Even UFPRSSA got into the action. UF alumni even got the idea of creating a #ufprchat. On March 23 at 9 p.m. current students, alum, and even former staff joined in the discussion on topics in communications today from social media to branding yourself for an hour. A transcript of the highlights from the chat is available http://ufprchat.com/2010/03/31/highlights-from-323-ufprchat/ for all to take a look. With a successful first trial and positive feedback, #ufprchat was created its own Twitter page, username ufprchat, and it plans to return for another go. If you joined in last time, or are looking to join in on the future, you should also check out the Twitter page and take the poll on how often you’d like to see it.
Hope to see you there at the next #ufprchat!