Have no fear of writing! You're in the blogosphere. Only the world is watching. (I am, too.)
You may blog about Alicia's suggested topics:
Topics:
1. Women have become a large majority of the professionals in public relations, however when looking at company demographics, men still seem to be in the executive pr positions. Why do you think this is and do you think it is possible to change in the near future?
2. With the world becoming smaller and business becoming more international, do you find it important to be multi lingual? Why or Why not?
3. What do you think the importance of a public relations professional is in international institutions such as the UN?
Or Rachel's suggested topics:
1. Proposed New York City outdoor smoking ban and the impact this has on personal freedom
2. The dangers and power of social media and technology, given the recent event at Rutgers University
Or you may comment on a relevant topic of your own.
Either way, post at least 200 words three times a week for a total of 600 words. You may write more if you wish. I will factor your posts into your grade. The class Twitter site also is up: twitter.com/WritingWrite. Post at least three Tweets a week.
Welcome to the world of mainstream PR. Try to have some fun. I think you will. Write write.
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ReplyDeleteLet me add my two cents to the first topic regarding women in executive PR positions. Glass-ceiling is not new in the business world. As more women enter the PR field, however, their rise to the top will be inevitable. Unfortunately, discrimination against women in top executive positions is rampant in many professional fields.
ReplyDeleteAn example of a high profile role that is disproportionately filled by men is White House press secretary. Press secretaries act as spokespeople for the president's administration. Their job mainly consists of briefing the media on the president's daily schedule and the administration's views on current issues, and answering reporters' questions.
It did not surprise me to find only two women have served as press secretaries in the history of the White House, Dee Dee Myers (1993-1994) appointed by President Bill Clinton and Dana Perino (2007-2009) appointed by President George W. Bush.
But I was surprised when I found most press secretaries, both men and women, have backgrounds in journalism, not PR. While it makes sense to have a journalist do press relations, I believe media relations is a PR person's job. Do you agree? Or disagree?
In 2003, New York City banned smoking in restaurants and bars. For those of us who don't smoke, this legislation was a welcome change. We no longer had to ask for a table in the nonsmoking section of a restaurant, only to learn that the wait was twice as long as in the smoking section.
ReplyDeleteRecently, Mayor Bloomberg announced that he plans to introduce legislation to ban smoking in outdoor areas of the city, including Central Park and Times Square. If the ban is passed, I could avoid secondhand smoke on my commute and jogs in the park. However, banning public smoking raises many questions about personal freedom. Should New York City mandate where people can or cannot smoke? How is this different from regulating where we are allowed to drink alcohol, or where we can cross the street, two actions that the city already controls?
A little online research shows that the data is on Mayor Bloomberg’s side. A recent study (http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/Smoking/19526) concluded that public smoking bans reduce secondhand smoke and the number of heart attacks in the region where smoking is prohibited. This evidence could make a strong argument for the ban. Nevertheless, many New Yorkers will continue to be infuriated, as their personal liberties are in question.
The outdoor smoking legislation is the logical next step in what seems to be Mayor Bloomberg's plan to eliminate second hand smoke entirely from NYC. He is following Los Angeles in banning cigarettes from parks and beaches.
ReplyDeleteWould this ban be fair to the mass of smokers in the City who are hopelessly addicted to nicotine? No.
But this ban is not about them. This ban is about protecting the health and well being of those individuals who do not smoke.
The rights and liberties of citizens can be trampled on when 3,000 non smokers die each year from second hand smoke. They can be trampled on when people knowingly inhale carcinogens and are powerless to quit.
We are after all talking about green places in the city. Is there not a more environmentally unfriendly activity a person could engage in without getting arrested besides smoking?
If people don’t like it they can pay the $50 fine and I’m sure many of them still will.
I hope someone tackles the flip side.
Ah, the smokers' and nonsmokers' rights issues. That's why the program offers the Communication Ethics, Law and Regulation course. There's no easy answer as you'll see when you take the course. That's why public relations exists: to persuade people to support one side or the other. Alas, common sense and health data don't always prevail.
ReplyDeleteI'll take the flip side.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I do agree with the fact that smokers and going to smoke where they want regardless. I think the $50 fine will be similar to the $300 fine for honking your horn. This past year Tennessee enacted the no-texting-while-driving law and if broken would result in a $50. It would be safe to say that less than 100 fines have been issued for texting while driving.
I think the smoking ban will be similar to that. I would rather have police officers ensuring my safety by arresting that drunk on the road or monitoring the subways for suspicious people than taking the time to write a ticket for smoking.
Bloomberg is doing the right thing by proposing this law. It will appease (most of) the people of New York, but in my gut I feel that this is kind of a public relations stunt. It’s a course of action that he has to take since it has been the subject of so much scrutiny.
Perhaps it will work and it will decrease the amount of smoking in NYC. I’d like to point out that the city makes $4.25 each time someone buys a pack of cigarettes.
The power of social media and technology is tremendous. The idea that people from around the world can connect through websites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and blogs can be positive, such as receiving news about a country’s closed election or have grave consequences as we’ve recently witnessed in the tragic death of Tyler Clementi. In response to the death of Clementi and the other recent teen suicides, there has been an outpouring of support through social media. Columnist Dan Savage created “The It Get’s Better” channel on YouTube to help victims of bullying. Facebook has joined with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) to remove hateful content posted on a page memorializing the recent victims of anti-gay bullying. It seems throughout time as new technological advances occur, it takes time for society to learn how to use them and sometimes it takes unfortunate incidences in order for change to occur. As the wise sage Spiderman once said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Spidey may have been better known for his abilities to scale buildings, but the quote holds true with social media and technology.
ReplyDeleteEnglish is the second most popular language in the world, which is lucky for those of us who speak it. I have worked with businesses and journalists from many different countries, including Sweden, Japan, France, and Poland, and every person has reverted to English to communicate with me. Sadly, I would not be able to easily switch to another language, unless the person happened to speak French. Even then, it would be difficult.
ReplyDeleteMany colleges require students to study another language, on the basis that it makes them well rounded. In my experience, students found it to be a drag – just another liberal arts requirement to fulfill. I completed a minor in French, mostly because I liked the language and the professors at my school. Did I plan on using it in the business world? Not necessarily, but I wouldn’t scoff at Paris-based job offer from L’Oreal or Chanel.
In retrospect, Mandarin or Spanish my have been more useful in a global business setting. Learning more languages can only open doors and allow you to interact with more people. If visiting a foreign country for business purposes, I would recommend learning a little of the local language. This would show respect for the hosts; although they probably speak English, they may appreciate the effort.
There is no question that the development of social media has opened a new can of worms when it comes to privacy and safety. In the spirit of feeling connected and sharing information with friends we are exposing ourselves to the larger public. Yes, social media such as Facebook and Twitter allow for freedom of speech and personal expression, but at what cost?
ReplyDeleteMost users of social media use it for its intended purposes – to stay connected with friends, share photos, or express opinions. But there are individuals who use it to harm or embarrass others. The case of Tyler Clementi is one example of how the use of social media aided in the invasion of one individuals privacy, and ultimately Clementi’s death.
Another good example of the dangers of social media is the website www.pleaserobme.com. This is a website that uses social media updates, such as Foursquare and Twitter, to alert people when you are not home. The concept of this website is unsettling and makes you reconsider how much information you should share.
I think the key to remember when using any social media application is that there are no take backs. Once you put your information out there anyone can use it for their own purposes – good or bad, right or wrong.
I have been fortunate enough to work under several extraordinary female public relations professionals. They have taught me how to write, pitch, and strategize, and have shaped my understanding of corporate communication. In fact, in my past three jobs or internships, I’ve worked in departments or divisions run by female leaders. Yet, all of these leaders report to male CEOs.
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that women can achieve success in public relations, the glass ceiling still exists. One challenge that PR professionals face is having someone “at the table,” or having a presence in major company decisions. Legal, finance and marketing have weighed in, but why is communication seen as an afterthought?
I’d also like to comment on Elba’s post about press secretaries having backgrounds in journalism. I have also found that many accomplished communicators were initially reporters by trade. However, we shouldn’t discount the skill set of journalists working in PR roles. They know how to work with other journalists, and understand the editorial goals of different media outlets. As long as a reporter can understand a PR professional’s role in effectively promoting the messages of the organization or client, they are probably equipped for the job.
I think it’s very important to be multilingual. However, this is something that is not a very high priority in the US. Being from one of the most powerful countries in the world, there is such a focus on our being the best and expecting everything to be catered to us.
ReplyDeleteI was only required to take two years of a foreign language in high school and college and wish it was a requirement throughout my education. If other countries require students to learn English or another foreign language in addition to their native tongue, why can’t we? Learning another language gives you the ability to learn about other cultures, countries, and people as well as give you a professional edge over someone who speaks only one language. When I have traveled to other countries, just attempting to converse in the local language earned respect rather then automatically speaking English, even if my pronunciation caused jokes and some playful teasing.
According to Neil Bowdler’s article on www.bbc.com.uk, multilingual children adapt to changes more quickly and focus better in confusing situations then monolingual ones. Another study Bowdler includes cites multilingual speakers were less likely to develop forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
With medical, cultural, and professional benefits, there is no reason not to encourage more people to learn a second language.
With more companies becoming international entities and the internet reaching all corners of the globe, becoming multilingual has become a very important skill for a pr professional, especially if they are interested in working with international clients. Public relations professionals need to understand how important cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity is, particularly when looking at language. One wrong word in a news release and you can create a totally different meaning and a potential crisis.
ReplyDeleteA bad translation in any press material can destroy a campaign and damage a company’s reputation in that country. One example I discovered of language destroying a campaign was a PR campaign for Ford’s Pinto car in Brazil. After spending a lot of money on this campaign, Ford realized that the name of the car “pinto” meant small male genitalia in Portuguese. Needless to say the campaign was a flop that could have been avoided if the PR professionals had been multilingual.
Additionally, having a basic understanding of the language in the country your company works can help to close the gap between the company and its public’s. It is a way to show people that the company is making an effort. In public relations you cannot assume everyone speaks English because your publics range from all different groups of people with all different language capabilities. The public relations professional must understand the languages used in the country not only to write the various press materials but also to advise the senior executives on ways to effectively communicate with the various publics.
So while some may say that English is the language of business, in the PR field I think being multilingual can be an invaluable skill.
On being multilingual...
ReplyDeleteI agree that being multilingual is important. In fact, I think it's a must. As an immigrant, I was lucky to learn English while living here in the States. I recommend anyone who wishes to learn a foreign language to move or take an internship in a different country. If you can, take advantage of the Study Abroad programs offered by NYU. When we are under pressure to speak another language we push ourselves harder.
Although moving to a foreign country to learn the language may sound super, most of us will not have the opportunity to pick up and move. So if you're on a budget like me, here are some economic ideas to help you get started:
• Read a book in a foreign language
• Watch the news on a foreign language speaking TV channel. You can also follow up by reading some of the news articles online
• Shop at ethnic food markets; learn the foods’ names in the native language; read the preparing instructions on the label; and if you need help while shopping, try to communicate to the employees in their language (Don’t worry about making a fool of yourself.)
• Rent foreign language movies and watch them with subtitles in the same language. For example, if the movie is in Spanish, watch it with Spanish subtitles. If you are not sure you understand, watch it in English afterward to see how much you got right
• Buy the foreign language's dictionary and read it from time to time (Not just the one with the translations in English; the ones with the definitions in the same language)
• Buy/rent children’s books and movies in the language you want to learn. Or, if you prefer buy comic books, newspapers, magazines, etc.
Remember to use your local library. Rentals should be free unless you return the items late.
Anyone has other suggestions?
Warning: A while ago, I decided to follow a Spanish-speaking soap opera to pick up some vocabulary. (It worked, while I was watching it, then I forgot most of the words.) The problem was I got hooked, which led me to start following another one. I even recorded it on a VCR because it aired in the afternoon while I was at school. (I meant it when I said it was a while ago.) You have been warned. The soaps should be used only as a last resort!
Another word of caution: If you decide to invest in one of those pricy audio/video language courses, make sure you allocate time to study. Otherwise, it will be a waste of your hard earned money.
A topic I would like to address from the news is the rescue of the miners in Chile. For those of us in Theory with Professor Seitel, you’ll remember we talked about the public relations significance of this. Because it is such a huge global phenomena I think it is something to be further discussed. From the beginning of the crisis, Chile President Sebastian Pinera recognized the benefit to Chile if they publicized the crisis/potential rescue. This is not saying he had no compassion for the miners and their families, however he was able to see the potential of the situation if everything went perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThe public relations professionals looking at the situation were able to see that this could bring an incredible amount of global publicity that they would never get otherwise. It was a massive risk that could have ended in tragedy. Luckily this was not the case. President Pinera made the mine rescue available to over a thousand reporters from around the globe. It was watched by millions of people everywhere. Even more, Oakley donated $450 sunglasses to all of the miners as they were rescued which brought about a whole different form of public relations.
The question with this case it whether the public relations professionals made the right choices or whether they hoped to cash in on the tragic situation. In Seitel’s theory class, his main point was DOWNPLAY expectations. I would agree with this analysis. Does anyone disagree and think they did the right thing? AND on top of that does anyone have an opinion on Oakley’s involvement?
This summer I had the opportunity to travel through Europe for six weeks. I was with two of my good friends for the first three weeks, staying in hostels and hopping on and off trains. Our families flew over for the last three weeks where we cruised around the Mediterranean and traveled through France and Spain. We visited 13 different countries where we encountered the following languages: English, French, Dutch, German, Turkish, Greek, Croatian, Czech, and Italian.
ReplyDeleteNone of us spoke anything other than English. We rarely had trouble finding someone native to the area that spoke English, and usually that person not only spoke English, but two or three other languages as well. The prevalence of multilingual people was nothing short of impressive.
I took foreign language courses in high school, but did not have the drive or the degree plan to continue those courses in College. After visiting Europe and meeting multilingual people who had opened their world of knowledge through communicating beyond their native tongue, I immediately regretted not taking the time and effort to learn another language. If I could go back and redo part of my education plan, I would start learning a foreign language early in life and stick with it. Being bilingual or multilingual could only help me in my personal and business endeavors.
Elba, I enjoyed reading all of your tips on how to learn another language. Here is another resource I found. It is a program NYU offers FREE to students. http://www.nyu.edu/cas/speaking.freely/
Twitter has become the new social networking site used for everything from a teenage girl telling her followers she is going shopping to a “CEO” telling followers about a new product being launched. Now it is being reported that celebrities like Kim Kardashian are being paid up to $10,000 for tweeting about companies like Carls Jr and Armani. Is this a new marketing sensation or is it a good public relations tactic? Kardashian has denied the reports that she gets paid to tweet in favor of certain companies, but sources say she isn’t being honest. Because there is no proof she is being paid, doesn’t it appear to be a great example of 3rd party endorsement? I would argue it is an example of a good public relations tactic especially when the person tweeting has thousands if not millions of followers. Most people following people like Kim Kardashian probably aren’t thinking about the quality of the tweets, they are thinking about the fact that they are following a celebrity and will believe what they read. “If Kim says the new Carls Jr. Salad is great I want to try it!” Companies have the ability to reach a very large audience.
ReplyDeleteThe other argument which could be made is that this is not what twitter was created for and paying people for tweets is not ethical. You could argue that it takes advantage of the people following the celebrities by not providing full disclosure that they are being paid by the companies they are tweeting about.
Thought on this? AND Do you all think this is something we will be seeing more of?
In response to Alicia’s post on celebrities using Twitter to market companies and products – it is definitely something to keep an eye on. But this is nothing new. Celebrities are a prime resource for companies to use as a marketing tool.
ReplyDeleteA study was done in March 2009, on behalf of Brand Affinity Technologies (BAT) that found, “the high levels of recognition and passion that people have for their favorite athletes and celebrities is what makes endorsement marketing perform so well.” So, yes, some followers of Kim Kardashian will go buy the Carl Junior’s salad because she tweeted that it was good. The flipside is if she gets paid to mention different companies in her tweets it is no different than if they hired her to do a commercial. Or is it?
I pose that question because in 2009 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published its new guidelines governing endorsements and testimonials. The changes address celebrity endorsements stating, “celebrities have a duty to disclose their relationship with the advertiser when making endorsements outside the context of traditional ads, such as on talk shows or in social media.” Therefore, Kim Kardashian should disclose her connection to Carl’s Junior and Armani if she received money to name drop. Because legally all parties involved face fines from the FTC if they find a connection.
Kim Kardashian and other celebrities walk a fine line when tweeting about products and companies. They risk their reputations. And in Hollywood reputation is everything.
I wanted to touch on the topic of the importance of personal branding since this has come up in a couple of classes.
ReplyDeleteI am one of those people who prefer to keep my personal and professional lives separate. I rarely allow the two worlds to intersect. And I know I’m not the only one. Many people have taken to creating multiple accounts on email as well as Facebook for each persona. This seems a bit excessive.
I was recently advised to treat my blogging and tweeting as a personal business to market myself in the future. Think of it as building a personal brand. As a graduate student there is no doubt this will prove helpful when job searching in the future. And it is for this very reason that I keep my two worlds isolated from each other. How does the expression go – there’s a time and place for everything?
There was an article in the New York Times recently discussing this topic. The author pointed out that the online reality social networks have created does not reflect our true human nature to categorize and separate. Facebook is attempting to categorize our networks through the new ‘groups’ feature to make sure we share information with only those we really want to. This is helpful for those people you are already friends with, but what about prospective employers?
We’ve all heard about potential employers doing a Google search on prospective candidates. Wouldn’t it be ideal if they found a well written blog on a topic you’re passionate about, or your Twitter and LinkedIn account? Searches such as those done by employers demonstrate why it is important to have a well-established presence on the Internet. It shows that you have a working know of social media. I’m not suggesting people tailor their comments or content to what they feel employers are looking for. Just be aware that the audience watching and reading may be larger than their primary network.
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ReplyDeleteIn response to Kim Kardashians actions on Twitter:
ReplyDeleteKim Kardashian is not only acting unethically, she is violating the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act’s Guidelines on the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in advertising. The FTC revised their guidelines in 2009 to incorporate social media and word of mouth marketing. One of the new rules is, when an advertiser pays a celebrity to endorse its product or service (outside of a traditional advertisement), the material connection must be disclosed.
Kim is compensated for promoting specific products in her tweets. According to the FTC rules, she has a duty to communicate her monetary relationship with these companies every time she mentions one of its products. The company is equally responsible for ensuring its endorsers share this connection with the public.
The FTC states that failure to comply by these rules may result in legal action. The issue is these regulations are not laws themselves. They are an interpretation of the FTC Act on advertising; therefore the burden is on the FTC to prove a particular endorsement has violated the law. Another problem is the FTC does not actively monitor these cases. They evaluate a breach of the rules on a case-by case basis, and only investigate a company’s advertising methods if it is brought to their attention.
Kim Kardashian’s tweets are only one example of many. This deceptive marketing practice is common with bloggers, and word-of-mouth campaigns. The FTC is making progress by creating guidelines on how advertisers can make their endorsements transparent. However, it has a long way to go when it comes to enforcement.
Everybody seems to agree that being multilingual is a good thing. But wouldn’t it be better and just as important to be multicultural.
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding the culture of another country will help public relations professionals craft effective messages and strategies aimed at stakeholders in these foreign cultures. Failure to understand the culture could lead to offensive and costly mistakes.
Look at the CEO of Toyota, Akio Toyoda. He could have spent all the time in the world practicing his English but I doubt it would have helped him because he didn’t understand the American culture and how we express guilt. Likewise not many people here in America understand what it means to express guilt in Japan.
Even look at Tony Hayward, where there was no language barrier. Many of his gaffes came from the fact that he didn’t understand the American culture.
I would agree that undergraduate foreign languages are a drag and not beneficial. What we learn is quickly forgotten because we usually are unable to apply it to anything else, with the exception of a semester abroad.
Looking back it would have been nice to see foreign language classes created specifically for communication/business professionals. These classes could have stressed understanding the cultures of citizens who speak the language. Too often we as Americans are ignorant about cultural differences.
As a guy I’m puzzled by the lack of men in the pr field and the dominance of women. I think it has to be due to certain misperceptions people have about the field. I’m not in this program to become Justin Beiber’s publicist, yet I am the butt of these kind of jokes quite often from male friends.
ReplyDeleteWe also know that there is an emphasis placed on ethics and research yet the perception exists that we are masters of spin.
It also puzzles me how there are few women in pr executive positions. My gutt tells me that if the trend of well trained woman in the field persists that the doors will have to open up.
I remember in a previous class at another school when the professor told the women in the class not to be “Twinkies”. A “Twinkie”, in his words, is a woman in the pr field who uses puffery to promote whatever she is trying to publicize and discredits the profession. And this is a guy who is the president of a successful pr firm saying this to a class full of women.
This showed me that a bias against women exists.
But I’m confident this bias will diminish as education opportunities persist and “twinkies”, both male and female, will be squeezed out.
It also raises the issue as to whether or not there should be some sort of national test that certifies pr professionals. This might increase the confidence people have in pr professionals, whether male or female.
Have to agree with you here Michael. (I always seem to post right after you. Makes your thoughts an easy target).
ReplyDeleteIn undergrad I was a member of the Diversty Student Leaders Society. One of our ideals was to seek out what makes us different. Being able to converse in a language different from your native tongue is excellent, but I agree that the issue is with focusing on culture.
You may know how to talk about the music in a country, but you might not understand its impact. Understanding a language and being immersed enough in the culture to actually contribute richly in your dialogue are two different things.
Many times, messages are lost in translation and often lead to insulting or embarassing situations. I like the idea of communication classes that prepare professionals for not only the language, but also for the nonverbal communication.
I read an opinion piece this morning in the New York Times about a university in Albany getting rid of its degree programs in French, Italian, classics, Russian and theater. I do not believe that humanities should be the first to go when budget cuts become a concern.
ReplyDeleteLet’s consider the French language. More than 110 million people speak French as a first language, and more than 60 million people speak French as a second language (http://www.francethisway.com/info/french-language-speakers.php). French is the official language in over 10 countries, including Belgium, which houses the European Union headquarters in its capital, Brussels.
Do the French names Descartes, Rousseau, Diderot and Voltaire sound familiar? America’s own history has significant French elements, and its main language, English, was derived partly from the French language. I am baffled by the university’s obvious opinion that languages and cultures are negligible.
Russia is one of the largest countries in the world; what makes the university think that the Russian language is unimportant, too?
As Michael pointed out, learning about other cultures is crucial; it’s ignorant and ethnocentric to focus only on our own. Studying the humanities will help foster cultural leadership and global awareness. How can we expect to advise the CEO of an international company, for example, without a worldview? Do you agree or disagree?
Although this is not one of the listed topics, I found this to be a great example of corporate reputation management:
ReplyDeleteToday, Apple reported its first-ever $20 billion quarter. Steve Jobs made a surprise appearance on the quarterly earnings call, answering questions and offering opinions on Apple’s competitors. This was the first time in two years Jobs had been on the call.
Although many people are critical of the way Jobs spoke about Apple’s high position in the market and its non-threatening competition, I believe he made a great move with the appearance.
Apple is not known for being transparent. While companies, such as Microsoft, share future plans in great detail with the public, Apple remains quiet. Microsoft always announces its new plans to raise early interest in its products, while Apple keeps its new products shrouded until release. Although Apple is well versed at creating excitement, the company is still seen as very secretive.
Steve Jobs was very transparent and open on the conference call while speaking about Apple. Jobs did not divulge any future plans, like what Apple will announce at Wednesday’s event, “Back to the Mac,” but he did openly speak about how the company sees itself. I was very intrigued hearing Jobs speak about Apple’s current position in the market, as this is not a typical tactic for the company.
In yet another unrelated post I would like to discuss the recent episode of The View. For those of you who did not see the clip of The View in which Bill O'Reilly was the guest, this was the situation...Bill was a guest on the show and brought up the very controversial topic of the mosque in NYC. After making some very opinioned statements both Whoopie Goldberg and Joy Behar got up and walked off stage. Needless to say it was very dramatic and created very high ratings.
ReplyDeleteFrom a public relations standpoint, I think the situation was handled very well. On the day of Bill O’Reilly’s guest appearance Barbara Walters immediately commented on the situation, saying she was upset that her co hosts had walked off the stage in the midst of the heated discussion (adding that she too disagreed with O’Reilly). This past Monday on The View a brief segment was included in which each of the co hosts discussed the incident and gave their opinions on the walk off. Looking at the public relations of the incident, the situation was immediately addressed following the walk off and further discussed a few days later. Additionally when it was being discussed during the Monday episode, the women stayed true to their opinions. While they may have agreed they shouldn’t have left the stage they didn’t change their views. I think this is great public relations because for better or worse people like seeing these strong women stick to their guns (its part of what has made the show such a success).
Any thoughts on how the public relations was handled.
I wanted to comment on the power of social media and technology. We discussed the Rutgers University student suicide in my social media class, and that discussion highlighted some important points about how technology has changed and how bullies are using its powers in increasingly hurtful ways.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, the Internet has taken the phrase “public humiliation” to a whole new level. Humiliation online can be worldwide in a matter of days, hours or minutes. From leaked sex tapes to uploads of embarrassing videos (Mel Gibson, anyone?), situations that may have gone under the public radar are now available at any user’s disposal.
Technology can also be painfully dehumanizing. The novelty and excitement of using Twitter, Facebook, and webcams can have significant impact.
These cases of online bullying should also be a lesson about the Internet’s scope. In today’s wireless world, even tweets can become the subject of national attention. Once something as harmless as a Twitter message or status update goes public, it can be shared forever.
It’s important to remember that the Web has been a positive, fundamental part of many programs, organizations and communities. However, for it to be truly beneficial for all, it must be understood as a medium of extreme power.
As most of us are aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The color pink is now taking over Halloween’s standard orange and black. Swathes of pink can be seen in everything from makeup to liquor, which raises a valid question-is breast cancer becoming commercialized and misused?
ReplyDeleteAnne Landman argues on www.prwatch.org that breast cancer awareness campaigns are hurtful and the disease is much more publicized then other diseases such as lung and colon cancer. The reason, she argues, is because female breasts are considered attractive, much more so than any other internal organ and sex sells. By doing this, it diminishes the disease and eliminates awareness that breast cancer can affect men as well.
Even the breast cancer advocacy organization Breast Cancer Action believes “that October has become a public relations campaign that avoids discussion of the causes and prevention of breast cancer and instead focuses on “awareness” as a way to encourage women to get their mammograms.”
I agree that other cancers could use more awareness and breast cancer campaigns should incorporate more information about prevention and causes for both men and women. But I also believe that if any campaigns can educate more people and encourage screenings to help save lives, as Machiavellian as it sounds, does it matter how it’s done?
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ReplyDeleteToday I read an article from CNN that said the Internet is about to hit 2 billion users. It’s hard to believe; that’s one-third of the world’s inhabitants! However the article also reminded me how quickly the media environment is both expanding and changing. Then I began to think about what’s changing and what’s staying the same about the environment we operate in.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s changing about the media environment? Everything. From the mechanics of communication to our expectations of communication, change is everywhere.
What’s the same about the media environment? Whether people realize it or not, they always want the same thing: connection. Connection creates community, and people operate best when they feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. Whether that community is online or in a formal meeting or club, communities bring value and relationships to our lives that we wouldn’t have otherwise.
So it’s safe to say that now people are more connected to one another than ever before. One effect of this connection is that there’s no limitation to audience demographics on the Internet.
As public relations professionals, this means we need to find new and creative ways to reach our constituencies. This is definitely a stage set for opportunity.
The last thing I thought I’d post about today is Assaf Kedem(our speaker from last night). Aside from him having some of the best facial expressions of all time, I thought his presentation was incredibly interesting.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I never realized that most executive speechwriters have no outside editors. The amount of reading and editing necessary to write an effective speech is lengthier than I had previously thought.
It was also interesting to hear how he formulated his speeches. “Stalking,” as he called it, was the first step. Recording the way his executive talked and the topics they were most comfortable speaking about is incredibly important.
I liked hearing about how he had to strategically insert cues into his speeches. He said for some executives, he even had to cue them to take a drink of water. The amount of bolding and underlining done in the example speeches he showed us illustrated how to emphasize certain words or topics.
I definitely have a newfound appreciation for speech writers. The amount of time and research need to make a good speech is extensive. On top of that, Assaf said he’s normally working on multiple speeches at a time. I will definitely be looking over his presentations and speech examples if a speech writing assignment comes my way.
Julia, I also enjoyed Assaf Kedem’s presentation in yesterday’s class. While speechwriting is a very specific skill, it actually brings together many areas of expertise. Writing is obviously the most important skill. But, a speechwriter also has to have a good understanding of research, interpersonal communication, and even human psychology to anticipate how an audience will react to word and ideas presented in a speech.
ReplyDeleteI found Assaf’s process for researching a speaker and topic to be very interesting. I assumed the writing would begin after interviewing the speaker or staff person coordinating the event, followed by reviewing copies of previous speeches. The idea of actually watching a speaker’s past speeches and even media interviews seems obvious in retrospect, but I hadn’t thought of that before. These visual examples are very useful in gauging a speaker’s choice of words and delivery style.
I appreciate that Assaf gave us real-world examples of speeches that he has written for high profile clients. It almost feels like our class was privy to insider information by receiving speeches written for Citigroup executives, although it would be public information if the speeches were delivered at open events. Like Julia, I will be keeping his presentation and sample speeches on file should I be asked to write a speech in for a future job.
Assaf Kadeem! What a guy! Fired seven times and still kicking? But on a more serious note, if he wasn't as skilled as he is, he wouldn't have been in the industry this long.
ReplyDeleteHaving done ghostwriting and speechwriting in the past, I was very intrigued by his presentation. I did not have the luxury to meet the people I wrote for before-hand. I had to resort to archived testimonies, speeches and memos to try to decipher their tone and vernacular.
He raised some amazing points that would have never crossed my mind. Such as including 'water break' for the very disciplined speaker or watching old speaking engagements to judge their cadence.
I've always been interested in speech writing and Assaf only peaked that interest. His approach seems so personal and involved that it seems almost impossible for him to write a distant-feeling speech.
Need a job over the holidays? Twitter may be your answer.
ReplyDeleteTonight I read an article about how national retail chains are using Twitter to advertise holiday employment opportunities. UPS, for example, tweeted “UPS Peak 2010 season has started. Please tell your friends @UPSjobs hiring Temp & Part-time jobs right now across US!" Since its Tweet, UPS has hired at least 100 people directly attributed to its announcement.
The idea that people are now finding employment through social networking sites like Twitter boggles my mind. I wouldn’t say I’m a traditionalist in very many ways, but perhaps this is one. In 10 years will conversations about employment revolve around what social networking site you found your job on? It’s hard for me to imagine.
I do have to say I think companies that use Twitter to recruit employees are one step ahead of the game. Recruiting through Twitter is a fairly efficient way to attract people that are likely following your company already. Plus, as far as applicants are concerned, it seems like a much quicker way to be directed to the information you need without having to navigate company websites on your own.
I’m interested to see where this trend is headed…
Speaking of Twitter, Julia…
ReplyDeleteToday I read a very interesting article about the Washington Post and Twitter. Following a controversial guest article published on the Post’s website, Post staffers asked its journalists to stop using their Twitter accounts.
The article, titled “Christian compassion requires the truth about harms of sexuality,” contended that homosexuality is a mental health issue. The article enraged GLADD, a gay activist group, especially in wake of the recent series of suicides. GLADD took to Twitter to express its feelings, and a staffer from the Post defended the article as showing “both sides” of the debate. Of course, this frustrated GLADD even more.
Raju Narisetti, the Managing Editor, sent a memo requesting journalists to discontinue use of the Post’s Twitter account and their own Post-branded accounts. In a digital age embracing social media and two-way communication, I am stunned that the Post is stifling exchange between readers and its journalists; journalism is about engagement with its readers. I’d understand if Narisetti told them not to respond using the official Post account; however, banning discussion from personal accounts seems like a denial of freedom.
What do you think about this?
Alyssa, I was just going to comment on that article! Good points.
ReplyDeleteHere's my two cents on the situation:
It all seems a little bit contradictory to me. In a world where Internet use is defined in large part by the participation it allows its users, it doesn’t seem realistic to prohibit interaction. As a large media outlet, the Post should encourage dialogue with its readers. As journalists and communicators, social networking sites are often extensions of the outlet we represent. The Post allowed the article to be published, but didn’t want to defend itself publicly when there was backlash to the article’s content. It seems to me that if they didn’t want to be involved in the repercussions of a controversial article, then maybe it wasn’t appropriate for them to publish the article at all.
Relationships in this day and age are increasingly important. Allowing journalists to engage with their readers allows readers to feel more connected to the news. Stifling communicators from interacting with their audiences reverts back to the old one-to-one model of communication. News is increasingly social, and organizations must learn to embrace the changes or they will get left behind by their competition.
I know this is a few days late but I have been thinking a lot about Assaf's discussion of becoming a speech writer. As the semester continues and we get closer to choosing our concentration, it brings up the daunting question of “What do I want to do with the rest of my life?” Speechwriting is something I have always been interested in. In fact when I was in undergrad I was a member of the Forensics Public Speaking league which is a national organization for college students to write speeches and then give them at competitions. It was a very rewarding experience because it allowed me to see how difficult speechwriting is but also allowed me to realize how much I enjoy the process.
ReplyDeleteDuring Assaf’s discussion I asked him how you become a speechwriter and he responded by saying you do everything else first before you get the opportunity to become the speechwriter. I was very discouraged by this. I understand working from the bottom up and having to do the more boring work before you are trusted with the larger tasks but I find it stressful that even when you realize what you want to do when you grow up, there are so many hurdles to jump. As master’s students at such a great university we will have many opportunities and many doors open to us, however I just wonder how long is it going to take to get where we want to be? (kind of rhetorical but also something relevant to us all).
Can you name the five freedoms granted by the First Amendment of the United States’ Constitution?
ReplyDeleteBefore you fry your brain and start to blow steam out of your ears, allow me to assist your recall:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
If you are anything like me, you named the first three without pause. Then, after a few uhs, the recounting of the first three freedoms several times on your fingers, and an uncomfortable data retrieval systematic failure, you finally looked at the answer.
Don’t blush. We are not alone. There is actually a First Amendment freedoms recall hierarchy.
According to the New York Times, a study conducted by the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University found that “while 61 percent of people surveyed this year knew that the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, just 23 percent volunteered that it also supports freedom of religion, and 18 percent cited freedom of the press.” But only 14 percent named freedom of assembly and a mere 6 percent of those polled “could cite the right to petition the government for grievances.”
The First Amendment was back in the spotlight after Christine O’Donnell, the Republican gubernatorial candidate in Delaware, asked her opponent Chris Coons where was the separation of church and state mentioned in the U.S. Constitution. He responded the concept was established in the first words of the First Amendment. (Oops.)
However embarrassing this exchange was for Ms. O’Donnell, who later said she meant to point out to Mr. Coons the separation of church and state was not directly stated in the Constitution, the truth is, most of us would need a little help with a question like that.
But ‘most of us’ are not running for office.
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ReplyDeleteJuan Williams, the former NPR news analyst and now full-time Fox contributor and columnist, became the latest casualty of a trigger-happy assailant on the loose known as Traditional Media.
ReplyDeleteMs. Media’s firing spree, which started about four months ago, indiscriminately targets journalists left and right both politically and figuratively. Authorities recently classified her as a dangerously armed serial shooter. Some of her high-profile victims include Helen Thomas and Rick Sanchez.
“Ms. Media is a deeply troubled woman, who suffers from ‘dinosauritis’- a disease that threatens obsoleteness,” explained Dr. Anonymous, a psychologist who spoke in condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation. According to Dr. Anonymous, “Ms. Media had a happy childhood and a very profitable life, but has suffered great turmoil since the advent of the Internet.”
Inside sources said that Ms. Media’s obsession with her image worsened severely since social media went mainstream. “Since she lost control of what people say and how fast the information travels,” the source said, “she became aggressive toward journalists who voice their feelings and opinions candidly. Especially those feelings that are against the politically correct establishment.”
Although no one knows whether Ms. Thomas (or Mr. Sanchez) will make full recovery, doctors said Mr. Williams is expected to fully recuperate from his injuries. He was released from NPR and transferred to Fox News where he was treated with a three-year $2 million deal.
If you have any information on this case, contact 555-hotline.
I was catching up on some back articles of the New York Times and I came across an article mentioning NYU which of course captured my attention. The piece entitled “Would you trade your paper books for digital versions?” was a very interesting article which is relevant to our class in several ways.
ReplyDeleteThe article discusses the shift from using a traditional print textbook to using electronic versions. It discusses cost vs. convenience and comfort. This is relevant to the discussion of media shifting from print to online as well as to our discussion as students for which version to purchase.
What is interesting is that while our generation is technologically advanced and jumping at the launch of every new digital product, many students are still opting to go the traditional print route when it comes to textbooks. The article says that “digital books make up just under 3 percent of text book sales.”
Personally I continue to purchase print products for everything from textbooks to newspapers and leisure reading books, but this is not as common in our demographic where everyone seems to have an ipad or kindle.
Why do you think textbooks are an exception to the rule of media and do you think that digital textbooks will ever phase out print textbooks? I don’t think so but I am bias and would be interested to see what my fellow students think.
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteI also read that article in the Times. I was not surprised to learn that paper textbook sales far surpass that of digital. I think the notion that books and magazines are going to die out is wrong.
I can’t imagine the digital forms completely replacing their print counterparts because each medium provides a different user experience. E-book readers are great for skimming, skipping to sections and travelling with. Web versions of magazines and books offer the convenience of using the Internet simultaneously. The iPad allows you to browse easily with your fingertips.
Paper versions offer something that none of the digital versions can – the sensation of touch. Feeling the glossy pages of a magazine, or the crisp copy of a new paperback, is a pleasure of its own. Looking at your bookmark near the end of a lengthy novel, provides a sense of accomplishment.
In my opinion, paper texts are easier on the eyes. I read paper novels and textbooks faster than digital books. E-textbooks save money but don’t offer the same benefits as their paper versions; so most students will continue to pay the higher prices. Does anyone think otherwise?
I also wrote about Juan Williams earlier in the day yesterday; it is posted under Prof. Noltenmeier's second blog.
ReplyDeleteShould we continue to comment under this blog, or should we begin commenting under the second blog, titled "Hello? Is anybody out there?"
Why Women are not Dominating Executive Positions in Public Relations
ReplyDeletePR professionals are predominately women, however this doesn’t mean we have a better chance of being promoted to executive level positions. In all business-related industries, women are a minority at the top levels. I think one of the main reasons for this pattern is our current social institutions, which make it difficult for women to have a family and work full-time.
Maternity leave is one of the main reasons women miss out on promotions. Leaving the workforce for three to six months is damaging for their careers. Staying home to care for a newborn is important, though the government doesn’t do much to support it. Women only get three months of paid leave and job security in the U.S. Mothers are forced back to work if they want to keep their jobs and need the income to support their families. This short amount of time is insufficient. Women go back to work but their productivity may not be the same due to stresses and obligations at home.
There needs to be a better social support system in place to help mothers adjust to their dual roles as mothers and career women. The government should provide longer paid maternity leaves with job security, so women can return to their jobs at a convenient time. There should be better subsidies for daycare and other home services, so it is easier for mothers to balance their work and home lives. Fathers should be encouraged to take paternity leave and compensated the same way.
This is already being done in most developed countries and the U.S needs to catch up. Only when changes to the welfare system take place will women have a fair chance at advancing to executive levels. Without these social supports, there will always be a glass ceiling for women who choose to have children.
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteThis semester, I decided to buy an iPad. Although I have not made a full transition to digital books, I am using a mix of print and electronic textbooks for my social media class; three of the five books I need for that class are electronic, while the other two are printed.
The reasons I wanted to switch to digital books are very simple: the digital world is compact, and I hate clutter.
But there are still some challenges when using digital books. For example, if the professor assigns page numbers you have to double check the content because the page numbers on digital versions will vary, for instance, according to the orientation of the iPad screen, or how big you make the font.
Also, the price isn’t necessarily more affordable. Most used books in print (especially older editions) are cheaper than their electronic equivalents on Amazon and not all textbooks are available in digital format.
Finally, the digital files are not easily transferrable to other gadgets (formats are differ from reader to reader). And once you are done with the e-book, you can’t hand it down to other people or donate the copy to the library.
On the other hand, you have your entire library in one compact gadget which is especially useful in public schools where kids often have to carry too much weight in their backpacks causing back problems. And printed books cost taxpayers a fortune. (I am not sure how widespread it is but my 10 year-old sister’s elementary school in Florida uses online versions of textbooks that students can access by logging in from home. The good thing is she can never forget her books at school and use that as an excuse not to do homework.)
I still use printed materials and prefer printing class lectures because I find it easier to highlight, annotate, read it in the subway, etc. (I would not recommend flaunting an iPad in the subway!)
But I made up my mind and for the future, I want to increase my electronic materials consumption until my transition from print to digital is complete. I believe digital books will solve more problems than it will create. (Similar to when the printing press was invented; even though it displaced the scribes, its invention allowed mass media communication.)
Although I don’t believe they will ultimately eradicate printed materials, I think digital books will quickly become predominant in college campuses around the country within a few years.
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteI hold the same opinion you do. I don’t believe that the digital forms of media will ever fully eliminate the traditional forms of print media.
Personally, I prefer printed materials. I tend to take notes in more than one way – highlighting, ear marking, and flagging with Post-Its. And while the digital forms of media are beginning to provide note taking techniques I don’t feel it provides enough variety for the majority of users. Electronic books are great for leisure but not realistic for textbook or study materials.
Cost may be one factor why students are not buying the digital versions, but has anyone ever considered what would happen if your device crashes and you lose the book? And the notes that were associated with it? There is a lot to be said for having a hard copy to reference. And as Elissa mentions, reading from a printed book is a different experience altogether – from touch to sight.
I enjoy looking at my bookcases and seeing the vast amount of books that I have collected over the years. And before I moved to New York my friends and I would exchange books regularly, and I often donated books to charities. These are things you can’t do when all your books are stored in a Kindle, Nook, iPad or any other digital device. In a way it can disconnect the user from the experience. But do people crave that experience with school textbooks? I doubt it. So maybe the digital forms will continue to grow in the future.
I was out with a friend over the weekend and I found myself getting into a debate over the transformation of ‘social media.’ The conversation went back and forth about how social media is used for personal versus professional purposes and how that is creating conflict for employees. That may sound odd, but let me explain my thought behind that question.
ReplyDeleteWhen services such as Facebook rolled out for the general public to use it was intended as a platform for socializing person to person. As social media sites gained in popularity businesses turned to them as a promotional tool to aid in managing the company’s public image. Over the years, social media sites have shifted from having a personal, or human, feel to businesses having profiles and asking consumers to ‘like’ them.
As these two areas of our lives begin to cross paths on a regular basis there are concerns that I see becoming a problem in the not too distant future. One example is how businesses are beginning to monitor what their employees are posting outside of work on their personal accounts. Companies want to monitor and control their image, and lately that seems to include monitoring anyone who has the ability to damage that image, especially employees. At what point do we say that companies are crossing the line with using social media as a monitoring tool on employees? Does society seem to care?
I am curious to know where everyone else stands on this shift in social media. And can we still call it social media with companies actively participating in the medium?
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