The smartest thing a candidate for the 08' presidential election can do is to target young people. In order to that, candidates must tap into what young people are doing and how they get their news.
Social networking used to be a medium for young people to stay in touch with friends and post silly pictures and comments from the weekend parties. Now it is a social medium that could be a huge factor in the upcoming election. Ten years ago we would not have the types of candidates on board that we do now and we certainly would not be using mediums like YouTube to announce your campaign.
Things are changing, and I believe for the better. If you want to address youth and prove that their issues matter and that you care what they think,you have to do it in a way that captures the attention of youth these days. These days, that would be the Internet.
The second best thing potential presidential candidates could have done was broadcasting over social networking sites. The way to the oval office is through the votes of this country's youth. Social networking has become an epidemic these days and now more than ever candidates should rely on nontraditional forms of media for their campaign. The youth of this country our the future and upcoming campaign tours must mirror the way we gather and analyze our news.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Anything to sell a magazine, right?
What will advertisers think of next. Some of the most outrageous advertising campaigns have been surfacing. But who can blame them. Society is hit will millions of advertisements a day and if you want your company or client to get some recognition, you might have to take some unconventional approaches.
Drastic times call for drastic measures. What if you have a client or a product that needs a little revamping or more patronage. Recently the magazine Popular Science has reinvented its campaign strategy.
Everyone know that for most of us Popular Science is one of the most boring magazine out there. If you don't like the information or find it boring, its probably because you just don't understand it. This is the problem. Popular Science wants to expand its readership and has found an innovative way in doing so.
The new campaign now offers articles people, especially those who frequently have much of what they read go right over our head, now will be able to relate and possibly enjoy Popular Science.
Whats great about this campaign is that if anything it will strike controversy and spark curiosity. Advertising is a tricky business and those who are good realize that it takes a certain shock value to get people interested in magazines out of their element. This campaign is proving to do just that. Will it work? Who knows, but at least there will be some new faces grabbing Popular Science at the news stands.
Drastic times call for drastic measures. What if you have a client or a product that needs a little revamping or more patronage. Recently the magazine Popular Science has reinvented its campaign strategy.
Everyone know that for most of us Popular Science is one of the most boring magazine out there. If you don't like the information or find it boring, its probably because you just don't understand it. This is the problem. Popular Science wants to expand its readership and has found an innovative way in doing so.
The new campaign now offers articles people, especially those who frequently have much of what they read go right over our head, now will be able to relate and possibly enjoy Popular Science.
Whats great about this campaign is that if anything it will strike controversy and spark curiosity. Advertising is a tricky business and those who are good realize that it takes a certain shock value to get people interested in magazines out of their element. This campaign is proving to do just that. Will it work? Who knows, but at least there will be some new faces grabbing Popular Science at the news stands.
My battle with the blog
http://innovationzen.com/blog/2007/02/08/are-blogs-the-new-resumes/
Does being a journalist mean you must be a blogger as well? Recently I have been wondering if I really buy this whole blogging idea. Whats the big deal anyway? With more than 100,000 new blogs being created every day, what is the point?
Personally, I really don't see the hype in blogging. For the most part its just a bunch of people talking about random stuff. But lately I have been reading and been told that blogging could potentially be an asset to when looking into the job scene. Does it set you above the rest when it comes to advances in your professional lives? Do employers really look at a persons blog? Should they be able to?
Rod Boothby, the author of Innovation Creators, wrote an article on this subject and he believes that blogging will provide employers with a more detailed picture of future job candidates. Yes, it may be beneficial in getting a better idea of who the person is applying for the job. But couldn't some of the blogs out there hinder a persons chances?
The whole notion of social communication scares me a bit. Do I really want potential employers reading the ridiculous things written on my social networking sites. Nor do I want them necessarily reading my posts. I understand by posting my thoughts I give up any rights to privacy, but should I be punished for the comments I write. Does writing a goofy post make me less qualified for a position in which blogging has no merit? I don't think so.
By the way,I should clear one things up. You may be wondering if I feel this hatred toward blogging why am I doing it? I am completing a set of 10 blogs for my last class at the University of Oregon. In fact, U of O is a great journalism school with great professors, one of which thinks blogging is an invaluable skill to have, or at least know. In a way, I think she is right. Blogging keeps you up-to-date on tons of issues, in the know, you seem ahead of the game or at least keeping pace with technology, Plus its cool to some people that you can point others in the direction of your Web site.
All things considered, blogging is one of those communication techniques that will eventually take over. Resumes, hiring, potential first date candidates, you name it blogging probably has its stamp on it--or will very soon.
All is fair in lies and ethics.....
I've often wondered how many lies happen in everyday life. Between politics, advertising and plain human nature, its inevitable that it will happen. The questions is, can a lie be good? Of course there are those lies that desperately need to be said. How much the shoes really cost, your weight on your drivers licence, bad dates. These types of lies are sort of free bees.
But when do those little free bees turn dangerous. Have we been programed to lie? Certain businesses make a living on lies and/or stretching the truth. Lawyers, journalists, PR professionals. Should the policy be what they don't know won't hurt them or should we as a society be obligated to always tell the truth.
For me, in all aspects of my professional and personal life I believe that there is a time and a place for a lie. It is a fine line between what is ethical in lies but if done correctly--meaning no one gets hurt from that lie--then I don't see the problem. Maybe this is why I have chosen the PR profession. The CSI article says "sadly, PR is considered to be Among The Lying Professions" and since we have the opportunity to change that, we should.
I tend to disagree. Its sad but true, lies help make the world go round. I'm not suggesting we throw ethics completely out the door but it does help in some instances to blur the truth a bit. For panic sake, for emotional sake, or maybe we just need a little bit more time to work something out, lies can help facilitate our needs.
Do I want to be lied to? Not really, but do we even have a choice. As the John Mayer songs says "when they own the information, they can bend it all they want." He is right, isn't he. Everyone knows lies happen, its just a matter of choosing which to believe. The reasons for lies needs to be based on the greater good of a product, service or society. Its on thing to believe a lie it another to not know the difference between the two. Its not always your job to be honest but safety and responsibility should be.
But when do those little free bees turn dangerous. Have we been programed to lie? Certain businesses make a living on lies and/or stretching the truth. Lawyers, journalists, PR professionals. Should the policy be what they don't know won't hurt them or should we as a society be obligated to always tell the truth.
For me, in all aspects of my professional and personal life I believe that there is a time and a place for a lie. It is a fine line between what is ethical in lies but if done correctly--meaning no one gets hurt from that lie--then I don't see the problem. Maybe this is why I have chosen the PR profession. The CSI article says "sadly, PR is considered to be Among The Lying Professions" and since we have the opportunity to change that, we should.
I tend to disagree. Its sad but true, lies help make the world go round. I'm not suggesting we throw ethics completely out the door but it does help in some instances to blur the truth a bit. For panic sake, for emotional sake, or maybe we just need a little bit more time to work something out, lies can help facilitate our needs.
Do I want to be lied to? Not really, but do we even have a choice. As the John Mayer songs says "when they own the information, they can bend it all they want." He is right, isn't he. Everyone knows lies happen, its just a matter of choosing which to believe. The reasons for lies needs to be based on the greater good of a product, service or society. Its on thing to believe a lie it another to not know the difference between the two. Its not always your job to be honest but safety and responsibility should be.
Have you ever noticed that some people will tell you their life story while you are standing in line at the grocery store or getting your hair cut? Maybe you have done it yourself. Why is it that we feel compelled to tell complete strangers some of hopes, shoe size, dreams, last bad date, future plans and tons of other topics that usually are meant for those close to you?
I found myself in the laundry mat the other day and got to talking with this nice guy who miraculously had more dirty clothes than I did. After I was done, I thought to myself, did I really just tell that complete stranger all about me. In a matter of thirty minutes, this guy knows my plans after college, what my parents do for a living and that I hate ice cream.
Does everyone do this? Is it in our nature to open up to people, even those you just meet in a laundry mat? It is interesting that people can be interested in what a stranger has to say or feel comfortable enough to tell them. After what seemed like hours of folding I finally flopped in front of the tube to see this commercial.
The "Let it Out" campaign got me thinking. Is emotional appeal the new sex appeal? It used to be that sex sells everything. Don't get me wrong, I know it still does and it probably always will, but lately it seems marketers and advertisers are using different tactics to sell their product. Emotional appeal seems to create a strong bond with customers. Has Kleenex struck gold? I wont lie, there are plenty of campaigns that get me a little teary eyed; The GAP and its RED campaign, Extreme Makeover Home Edition--I always cry!, and Home Depot. Encouraging people to express themselves and open up is good marketing tactic if anything an emotion health boost.
I think Kleenex has a good thing going. Selling on emotional appeal is something that will always draw people in. It will be interesting to see how this nation wide campaign push pans out. The measurement Kleenex has developed will be a good testiment to how well targeting emotions does for selling products. I can only imagine how many people will be lining up for a stop on that couch. If society is anything like me we will all be buying a box of kleenex very soon.
I found myself in the laundry mat the other day and got to talking with this nice guy who miraculously had more dirty clothes than I did. After I was done, I thought to myself, did I really just tell that complete stranger all about me. In a matter of thirty minutes, this guy knows my plans after college, what my parents do for a living and that I hate ice cream.
Does everyone do this? Is it in our nature to open up to people, even those you just meet in a laundry mat? It is interesting that people can be interested in what a stranger has to say or feel comfortable enough to tell them. After what seemed like hours of folding I finally flopped in front of the tube to see this commercial.
The "Let it Out" campaign got me thinking. Is emotional appeal the new sex appeal? It used to be that sex sells everything. Don't get me wrong, I know it still does and it probably always will, but lately it seems marketers and advertisers are using different tactics to sell their product. Emotional appeal seems to create a strong bond with customers. Has Kleenex struck gold? I wont lie, there are plenty of campaigns that get me a little teary eyed; The GAP and its RED campaign, Extreme Makeover Home Edition--I always cry!, and Home Depot. Encouraging people to express themselves and open up is good marketing tactic if anything an emotion health boost.
I think Kleenex has a good thing going. Selling on emotional appeal is something that will always draw people in. It will be interesting to see how this nation wide campaign push pans out. The measurement Kleenex has developed will be a good testiment to how well targeting emotions does for selling products. I can only imagine how many people will be lining up for a stop on that couch. If society is anything like me we will all be buying a box of kleenex very soon.
Monday, March 12, 2007
The power of editing...
One of the first lessons drilled into the heads of young journalism students at UO is grammar and editing. In fact, those who fail to acquire this skill struggle through the program--if admitted at all. I am sure I share the same opinion as most of my peers in the Journalism program when I express how much hatred I have for classes like; grammar 101, Writing for the media and eventually taking the dreadful LSDT. Now looking back, I am so grateful for the hours of frustrating grammatical studying that took place in my college career.
In all my experiences and classes I have taken at U of O, I have never been inclined, or forced for that matter, to take a course on broadcast news. I in no way am placing judgement on the WAGT station in Georgia. I believe a news journalist is a very stressful, high-paced and impromptu occupation. One in which I never want to be a part of. However, I wish I would have been sitting in front of the tube when this poor news anchor delivered this classic news story...
Go on, look close. You will notice that whoever decided "cut-and-pasted" from Google images or wherever, was a good idea might want to get their eyes checked. Did anyone who works for WAGT proofread, or even look at the picture for that matter?
Everyone misspells and overlooks errors--lord know I still do, but this is a pretty big error! I can only imaging executives reactions to this news story. In fact, I wonder if even Krispy Kream knows just how good their donuts really are? All I can say is that I thank everyone of my professors over the last 4 years who drilled editing and proofreading into my head. Although, it is pretty funny when things like this happen!
In all my experiences and classes I have taken at U of O, I have never been inclined, or forced for that matter, to take a course on broadcast news. I in no way am placing judgement on the WAGT station in Georgia. I believe a news journalist is a very stressful, high-paced and impromptu occupation. One in which I never want to be a part of. However, I wish I would have been sitting in front of the tube when this poor news anchor delivered this classic news story...
Go on, look close. You will notice that whoever decided "cut-and-pasted" from Google images or wherever, was a good idea might want to get their eyes checked. Did anyone who works for WAGT proofread, or even look at the picture for that matter?
Everyone misspells and overlooks errors--lord know I still do, but this is a pretty big error! I can only imaging executives reactions to this news story. In fact, I wonder if even Krispy Kream knows just how good their donuts really are? All I can say is that I thank everyone of my professors over the last 4 years who drilled editing and proofreading into my head. Although, it is pretty funny when things like this happen!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
BUSINESS ETHICS 101
Why can't more business be like Les Schwab? Is it to much to ask these days to walk into a business and expect excellent or even acceptable service?
Today I went into the Les Schwab on 18th street here in Eugene to get my flat tire fixed. Not only did they run out and greet me (just like their commercials promise) but I was in-and-out in less than 20 minutes! Wait, that's not even the best part. They fixed my tire for FREE. I was shocked! Isn't there "no such thing as a free lunch?" Nothing is free anymore, especially physical labor. The lady behind the counter told me that since I didn't have to purchase a new tire, they just patch it up and send their customers on their way.
Personally I can think of a few local businesses that could take Ethics 101 from Les Schwab, specifically, Turtles Bar & Grill, which is really to bad because I like the food-- that is when I get what I order! I have been eating in Eugene for the past 4 years now and Turtles ALWAYS seems to aggravate me when I reluctantly decide to eat there. Dinning in is a disaster in itself. Can someone tell me why they only have female servers? And is it a prerequisite that they have to all be bitches? O.K., I have to admit I haven't been served by every server there, so maybe I'm being a little harsh. But come on, Turtles is not THAT good, and you are not that great either to be acting like you have better things to do. Takeout, I dont have enought room to write...Lets just say I never get what I order and the wait-time once Im there, ridiculous! And believe me, I give this restaurant a little buffer when they give me a pick-up time.
Same with The Flying Dog Cafe on campus. Its not that they have to many bitchy female servers, they hardly have any servers at all. I swear every time I go in there there the patrons out number the employees 10 to 1. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen more than one server in there at a time. Good for the server considering they don't have to split the tips, bad for customers who wait, and wait, and wait! They must just be trying to save money, less servers and NO heat equals positive numbers.
Granted comparing a tire store and a restaurant is like comparing apples to oranges, but every business should be responsible and respectful--bottom line. What does this have to do with Public Relations--exactly, BAD PR! Will people read this blog and boycott these restaurants, probably not but after today I will take my business to Les Schwab any day of the week as I drive right past Turtles--probably flipping them off!
Other businesses soaking in bad PR:
http://www.twistermc.com/blog/2004/11/17/zales-jewelry-store-bad-service">
http://www.portlandfoodanddrink.com/?p=222">
From Amature Film Makers to Third-Degree Felons
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Technology is an amazing thing. Especially when it helps authorities in child abuse cases. In suburban Fort Worth, Texas police found a video tape which appears to show two teenagers persuading a 2 year-old boy his 5-year-old brother to smoke pot. The video, found in a search for stolen goods at the the home, is helping investigators press criminal charges.
Can two 17-year-old boys and one camera man the same age really be this stupid? In what world are they living that something like this would be funny or even safe, even for a second. Dont get me wrong, I think it is hillarous when little kids do funny things like, accidently fall down (believe me I dont want them getting hurt or anything) or eat something sour that makes there face wrinkle but this is simple child abuse. Both boys, the cameraman and the mother should be charged.
My question. Where are these poor childrens parents? The mother of these two boys was asleep in the next bedroom when the incident tool place and claims to know nothing of the situation. I find that hard to believe. Oh wait, she is a child herself! I am not a mother and have no plans on becoming one in the near future but even with all my inexperience I have a real problem with this! Frankly, social services should take these boys and keep them as far away from this disfunctional family as possible, for ever! PERIOD!
'>http://
Technology is an amazing thing. Especially when it helps authorities in child abuse cases. In suburban Fort Worth, Texas police found a video tape which appears to show two teenagers persuading a 2 year-old boy his 5-year-old brother to smoke pot. The video, found in a search for stolen goods at the the home, is helping investigators press criminal charges.
Can two 17-year-old boys and one camera man the same age really be this stupid? In what world are they living that something like this would be funny or even safe, even for a second. Dont get me wrong, I think it is hillarous when little kids do funny things like, accidently fall down (believe me I dont want them getting hurt or anything) or eat something sour that makes there face wrinkle but this is simple child abuse. Both boys, the cameraman and the mother should be charged.
My question. Where are these poor childrens parents? The mother of these two boys was asleep in the next bedroom when the incident tool place and claims to know nothing of the situation. I find that hard to believe. Oh wait, she is a child herself! I am not a mother and have no plans on becoming one in the near future but even with all my inexperience I have a real problem with this! Frankly, social services should take these boys and keep them as far away from this disfunctional family as possible, for ever! PERIOD!
'>http://
The faces of social communication...
Post cards and phone calls are a thing of the past now that technology has caught up with the demand for social communication. Most of us on normal occasions are using sites like Facebook and Myspace to post things like upcoming shows, parties and adding hilarious pictures from last weekends party to a profile.Lately however, social networking sites including MSN Instant messenger have been used for much more complicated things. Things that normally or at least 3 years ago would be face-to-face. Those that hurt others and even those that bring people together. More and more people are using these sites for unconventional ways of expressing feelings and voicing opinions. Clearly we are all aware that inappropriate conversations over the Internet that have been an issue for some time now, but recently, middle school and high school student are using social networking site to verbally attack others. Only with these new sites those attacks stay posted for everyone to see. The Internet is like a bathroom wall these days. People are getting teased, humiliated and even threatened over these communication sites. Should we put a stop to all these sites? Should people realize these are just words and they supposedly cant hurt you? I don't necessarily have the answer to those questions but there are others exploring the issue.Should students be disciplined for off-campus communication?
That is one of many questions PARADE writer Rosalind Wiseman talks about in her article http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_02-25-2007/Cyberbullying.At the other end of the social communication ladder some people are turning to networking sites for support and grievance. Sadly, a 22-year old college student was killed by a hit and run near our UO campus. Following his unfortunate death, family and friends found comfort in providing those close to the victim and others wanting to pay respects with a Facebook site dedicated to the memory of this man.
http://oregon.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2248341019
Regardless of what a persons intentions are for the these social site, one thing is clear, they are hear to stay. Whether it brings people together or tears them apart, social networking sites have taken communication to the next level.
That is one of many questions PARADE writer Rosalind Wiseman talks about in her article http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_02-25-2007/Cyberbullying.At the other end of the social communication ladder some people are turning to networking sites for support and grievance. Sadly, a 22-year old college student was killed by a hit and run near our UO campus. Following his unfortunate death, family and friends found comfort in providing those close to the victim and others wanting to pay respects with a Facebook site dedicated to the memory of this man.
http://oregon.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2248341019
Regardless of what a persons intentions are for the these social site, one thing is clear, they are hear to stay. Whether it brings people together or tears them apart, social networking sites have taken communication to the next level.
Fame + Fortune = Disaster !?!?!?
O.K., so I may be stating the obvious a bit here, but what in the hell is going on in Hollywood?!?!?! Case in point, Britney Spears. Is it a prerequisite for those with fame and fortune to be fucked up? Now don't get me wrong, I am a sucker for celebrity news--proven by my subscriptions to those smut magazines, but do we really need to be reading about Britney's recent style change? There has got be be better news than that--or at least less creepy! Come on, she obviously has some major issues to work out and frankly I am scared of the recent photos surfacing. Are celebrities leading such boring lives that they have to go out and make fools of themselves for all of us to see? Or take on drastic measures to acquire some attention?
Pull it together Brit, you have made some poor choices in the past few years, but you can bounce back, I mean come on, you were the Pepsi girl for god sakes! Granted you did marry a sleazeball from a Podunk town, but you slept with Justin Timberlake, you are sitting on 50 million dollars, you have two healthy boys and someone else to raise them, you have what everyone else on the planet envy's and you go and pull a crazy stunt like shaving your head. Thank god for wigs and extensions. Pull yourself together, spend some of your money the right way, and go to rehab--or wherever it is that celebs go to "find themselves" Christ--go shopping for a new stylist while you are at it! Do what you need to do but do it fast! We miss the old Brit who made fat girls like me jealous and 18 year old boys go out and buy posters, and men who secretly are glad that they have to take their daughter to your concert .
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