Humber PR: The Future

I admit that I was hesitant about this whole social media and social networking business. How was I supposed to know people through social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, blogging, LinkedIn? Everyone else seemed to be ahead of me in the game.

Four months ago, I started Humber's Social Media course without Great Expecations. I was afraid. Then I focused on what I really wanted.

I had to remember why I was interested in PR in the first place. It was the communicating aspect of it that had really appealed to me. So, Twitter, Blogging, LinkedIn were just different ways to communicate about me and what interested me.

As for the future, my peers and I may be interested in working at different sectors, such as agencies, non-profit, sports.

We will still be tweeting, following and still be connected on LinkedIn.

And we will still have HumberPR.

Check out Caitlin's blog to watch videos about adding value and Neil's post about his experience with the FIFA World Cup and Twitter. Also, see Catherine Tschannen's, a 2C blog post about her prediction about the Future of Friendships.

Pepsi's Gettin' Fresh

PepsiCo., being a multinational company, is expected to have CSR initiatives.

Usually, such initiatives are in alignment with the company values. Consumers and interested parties would go to their website, where it would communicate what Pepsi is doing to make the world a better place, so that good-hearted customers would know that they are doing the right thing by buying Pepsi soda.

Pepsi’s Refresh Project is the new hype.

It uses social technology to engage its various stakeholders that were mentioned in Nadine’s blog post, but most importantly-their target audience, which are people like you and me. This time Pepsi is willing to donate over $20 million to interested charities and individuals who want to apply for grants to benefit a variety of projects and site visitors can vote for the best ideas for funding starting February 1.

In order to sustain momentum Pepsi allows a one-month time period for voters to pick their favourite idea with a maximum of 10 votes per day. Then, after the time limit, Pepsi presses the refresh button and fresh new ideas are available to be voted on for the following month. To make sure the ideas are legit, Pepsi has teamed up with prominent experts and charities.

The target audience are the consumers that buy their soda.

I will analyze the objectives of the Pepsi Refresh Project and determine if it is in alignment with its strategies by using the POST method.

The objectives:

-To engage the public by allowing them to vote for Pepsi Refresh ideas.

Strategies: Pepsi wants to have a closer relationship with its consumers, so it will use strategies that will direct them to its site. By making the site interactive and user friendly, and asking for comments about what worked and what did not. They will feel that they have a voice in helping Pepsi make good decisions. This makes them feel IMPORTANT!

Good feelings all around!

Read Jessica’s blog to get more insight if the technologies used make sense for the Pepsi Refresh Project.

For a SWOT analysis of the Pepsi Refresh Project: Read Caterina’s blog for the Strengths, Sophia's for the Weaknesses and Kareena’s blog for an analysis of its Opportunities and Threats.

Are Children as Young as Three able to Recognize Brands?

‘‘MOMMY, THAT’S MY BESTEST BRAND.’’-Globe and Mail

New research published in the Journal of Psychology and Marketing state that children as young as three to five year have ‘emerging ability’ to recognize brands. Kids use their emerging ability to judge which products will be the most fun-and make them popular.

It is well-known that the best way to market something is to meet the emotional needs of the target audience. We’ve learned that researchers need to know their audience. Marketers have knowledge of children’s developmental, emotional and social needs, so they tailor their marketing strategies, so that it is appropriate for them.

Mcdonald’s-93% Pepsi-77 % Lego-75% Shell-53%

When children were asked to describe various fastfood, it was described as ‘‘fun, exciting, and tasty’’. Cola drinks are ‘‘fun’’ and ‘‘the bubbles are fun and lots of people like them’’.

Here is an interview at NBC Dateline where children have to pick between a banana and a cupcake.

The Center for a New American Dream, state that babies as young as six months of age can form mental images of corporate logos and mascots. Brand loyalties can be established as early as age two, and by the time children head off to school most can recognize hundreds of brand logos’’ (Media Awareness Network)

Do you think this is ethical work?

I have developed a personal brand plan. It contains a lot of what I hope to accomplish for this year. Feel free to make comments and suggestions!

Notes from a PR Girl

View more presentations from Aasana.

Who Else Is New To PR 2.0?

Of course, great writing, presentation, and interpersonal skill are still important in the PR world, but I can see how easy and quick it is to make connections over the net.

For someone, who has only recently been initiated into Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, it can seem overwhelming at first, but in order to keep up with this changing field, I must get out of my comfort zone.

As, a PR student I have learned that there are various channels to communicate to an audience that did not exist even ten years ago. It used to be that consumers felt shut out and disconnected from what was going on, but it is easier to build relationships through online niche groups, bloggers and journalists.

Sociologists describe humans as social animals.

Connecting with other folks in niche groups helps me to learn their stories and share mine. Stories that have a human interest are what draws me in.

Once I learned that social media helps build relationships and not give me more work to do on the job (which is also true), I became more open to creating an online identity.

Here are some places where I can be found:


Facebook


Twitter


LinkedIn


Personal Fun Blog


Professional Blog


Fictionpress Writing Work


Scarborough Arts Council



I believe all these places help to creat a better picture of me.

When in Rome, live as the Romans do; when elsewhere, live as they live elsewhere. -Saint Ambrose

Who Else Writes Romance?

I cannot get over it. Her blog portfolio states that Lisa Kleypas is a scorpio and a dragon. It is a good sign that a favourite author and I share the same Chinese and astrological signs. This means that my not-so-secret dream of getting a book published may happen. I finish each story thinking it is the best thing, and walk around with a buzz, only to be convinced it is garbage in a few months. And I need to start writing.

Kleypas' excerpt for Smooth Talking Stranger, one of the best, though lacking sexy kissing scenes has sizzling sexual tension. The worst reader torture is where I anticipate touch. Like me, a reviewer blogged that she disliked Hardy Cates in Sugar Daddy, but changed her mind about him. I will fall for him too.

I read romance novels to fall in love. I can taste the deep emotional connection between two people, who are different, but understand each other. In KIeypas’ It Happened One Autumn, Lord Westcliff struggles between his desire to marry a proper English lady and his unwitting attraction to Lillian's strong personality. Facing adversity makes him realize, he could never be with an emotionally weak female. Similarly, I like to show what makes my characters right for each other. Also, I enjoy sighing in satisfaction at a good happily-ever-after.

Journal it Live

Teens, want a place to vent?

Want to meet people that share your interests?

Then, LiveJournal is the place for you!

As suggested, LiveJournal is primarily directed at teens and used for social/entertainment purposes. It can be used in many ways as a social network: a private journal, a blog, a discussion forum. And it only takes twenty seconds to register!

Then you can add to your profile by sharing information, such as favourite books, music, moviesTV or hobbies.It has a current mood, music, and smilies icons that is popular with teens.


The community aspect of LiveJournal makes it different from various social media because it enables anyone to join online communities, so that they can discuss anything on their mind.

For the professional, I would highly suggest purchasing the upgraded version for $19.95/year. It includes:
600+ themes for your journal
Ability to create custom themes
No advertising
2 GB of photo storage space
Voice posting, domain forwarding, and more

Now, onto PR: I'm sure the answer everyone's dying to know is how it can be relevant to PR.

My opinion is that it can be utilized by PR professionals or students if they want to join a discussion forum and ask quick questions or advise. This can be a more informal version where people can network all over the world!

Here's my video review of LiveJournal!

I give LiveJournal 4 out of 5 bouncy kitty heads.

Also, check out Karolina's blog for a different take on LiveJournal!