The Price of Controversial Ads

We've all seen them. They catch our eye but make us squirm. You can't look away but really don't want to in the first place. In the ad below, this fashion company has taken things to the next level. Not only is drug use by models being glorified, it's meant as a joke by them "snorting" a white t-shirt. I found the humor to be dark and out of place for an actual company's ad rather than a PSA. I would imagine this photo has not been printed in North America, yet ads such as these have been known to be printed in countries such as France, where nudity and activities seen as inappropriate in Western culture aren't even given a second glance. It can be a hit and miss situation with these kinds of ads, yet its more of a Russian roulette game if they aren't careful.

 

 

The Biebs and His PR Nightmare

I am not one to particularly write about celebrity gossip. I mean I love my share of exchanged information when face-to-face with someone, but as for gabbing online? Not really my thing. With that aside I would like to talk about Justin Bieber and his current positing in the limelight of a whole different type than hes used to.

Unless you completely avoid online news and radio, chances are you have heard about the 20 year old female who is claiming her baby was in fact conceived by Justin Bieber himself, in a backstage bathroom after one of his concerts. When first published, Justin remained mum on the situation, furthering the suspicion that he himself was unsure if it was true. To go even further, his first public comment on the situation was more of a plea for his fans to focus on his music. It was obvious to all that poor Justin may have gotten himself into a tight situation.

And then the tables turned. Attacks on the girls reliability began when it was found her facebook contained immature photos, then the bomb dropped. If she indeed have Justins baby, at the time of conception she would have been of age, but not Justin. This means she could potentially be charged with statutory rape if the baby is his.

Justin has since gone out and denied the whole situation but the damage is done and his hesitation at the start has already created not only suspicion in his involvement, but also has questioned his morals, values, integrity and more.

Big Dreams Right After Graduation?

Its great to be ambitious, as a person with a lot of expectations for myself and my life I can definitely relate to ambitious people. I remember thinking that as soon as I graduate, I'd have a salary job and a new car before the year was over. Then stark reality set in. Without experience it will be difficult to find that awesome job right off the bat, and as for that new car? It's more likely the beater will be around a bit longer than I had hoped. To those who still think they will be that one to be lucky from the get-go, don't stop dreaming but be prepared to be realistic. Over confidence can get you in some tight situations, especially if you bite off more than you can chew...

Getting Experience with No Experience

Looking for a job but lack the experience? Wondering how you can possibly get that 3-5 years experience if no one will hire you? Never fear, internships are here!

There are so many websites available that offer postings for internships, and when it comes to PR related postings, the skies the limit. From posts for media skills to writing articles for magazines, there are options to suit anyone's preference. Whether they are paid or not is something that is up to the company, yet even if it is not for money, the experience gained from the time there will put your resume before others and give you the skills to rise above and work your way up your career ladder.

A few websites to check out include Kijiji, ca.Indeed.com, joobleca.com, as well as a Google search for internships in your area.

A Personal Insight into My Student Life

Writing, persuasion, presentation skills, and more. These are just a few of the classes I am taking this semester. Who knew there was a planned out and proper way to persuade, with techniques and aspects most don't think are options available to them. Writing is quite different this semester, with a strong focus on copy writing (i.e. "hidden sales techniques"). If you've already had a look around my blog you'd know just how much I love sales (sarcasm) so even though it's a good thing to know, I am not a fan. I am doing quite good however when looking at my total average so to those thinking of going into a PR program, don't hesitate if you don't like the looks of some of the classes, not only could you be surprised, but its knowledge that no one can take away from you and you will always have at your disposal.

Taking Spin to a New Level

Communications specialist or spin doctor? Sometimes the line is hard to define and with a lot of   gray area it can be difficult not to go too far. Here is a comic I found that I think is a more dramatic example of PR but none the less true to some degree :)

Congrats! You're a PR Graduate! ...Now What?

Ever wondered where your degree/diploma in PR would take you? With the multitude of options available, it can be more than overwhelming. From my personal experience I feel like a mouse surrounded by hundreds of kinds of cheeses, I want to try them all but I doubt I'd like more than a few.

Not only do you have the choice between working for a company, agency or solo, you also have to consider the different areas of PR as well, such as media, public affairs, non-profit, and the list goes on. Further more, you can specialize even more in those areas. Non-profit offers various options such as fundraising, event planning, community affairs and more. While those options surely can apply to other groups, it all depends on what you truly love to do.

I love people, yet do not feel completely comfortable directly addressing media. I have a true passion for formal writing (if you can't already tell), yet I despise sales-type writing unless I absolutely believe in what I am selling/promoting. I know that if I ignore my true feelings, I will end up at a job that will not make me happy or satisfied.

The only way to get an idea of where you want to go is to look deep inside yourself and come to terms with who you really are and what you are made of. Don't like something? Then don't seek jobs that require more of it than something else you prefer. If you focus most of your personal growth on your talents rather than solely working to improve your weaknesses, you will not only find more joy in life, you will feel fulfillment and a deep personal satisfaction in watching yourself excel beyond what you even imagined you could do.

Here are a few websites to help aid in deciding where your passions lie.

http://www.pasadena.edu/studentservices/careercenter/MAJORS/html/publicrelations.html

http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/cic/majors/html/communicationstudies.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_relations

Caught by Surprise

It seems that the catalyst for many PR instances is surprise. And not all surprises are good. Even with an element as unpredictable as surprise, there are still many things that can be done to avoid most last-minute, possibly regrettable decisions in the spur of the moment. Although planning for all situations is unrealistic, some simple basic decisions can save you both time and stress in the long run, both of which you will probably find pushed to their limits anyways. Here are a few examples of where there was obvious planning and a few that clearly could have been handled better.

Maple Leaf Crisis:
http://digitaljournal.com/article/264355

Avril Lavigne stirs PR opportunity pot for Home Hardware:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1470449/avril-sparks-tshirt-runs.jhtml

Ryanair CEO offers saucy new flight options, to disbelief and disgust from most:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/money/3920760/Mister-blue-sky.html

And of course, the classic BP Oil CEO's statement of wanting "his life back":
http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/06/02/us-oil-spill-bp-apology-idUSTRE6515NQ20100602

It's Who You Know

And also what you know, but networking is a Public Relations experts bread and butter. Without useful connections and established relationships with the right people, growing and excelling in this industry is far more difficult. Any and every person entering or already in the Public Relations field should therefore be a member of PRSA, Public Relations Society of America.

This organization goes above and beyond expectations, with a website dedicated to helping better understand PR, as well as for those who are unaware of what PR is exactly. Although the website is American owned, the organization has multiple chapters in Canada. While always looking for new members, current members have the opportunity to be as actively involved as they wish. With help needed in areas such as social media, finances, event planning and more, whatever your interests are there should be an area where they could use your help.

For more information or to become a member today, go to www.prsa.org

Your Public Relations and Communications Community awaits :)

A Shot at PR

As first post, I thought it would be appropriate to include a piece of work I have submitted in the line of PR. Yet to be graded, I found that with both passion and a personal need to help others, I was able to write the best speech/PSA I have ever written, dedicate to the Canadian Blood Services. Without further adieu, here is my speech. 

I may not be a police officer, or a fire fighter or an EMT. I may not be a doctor, or a surgeon or a nurse. But to this day I have saved anywhere from 5-15 lives, all because I have taken the time to donate blood.

This process takes no more than an hour, yet in that hour you are doing more for your community than many would. Every donation of blood is one step closer to saving the life of the woman who is bleeding to death from horrific car accident, or the dying child who won’t live another day without a blood transfusion.

And to think, all it takes to save just those lives is the strength to sit in a chair and be pricked by a needle. 

Most never think to donate blood, not understanding that human blood has no substitute. While pig heart transplants and various other new aged surgeries are on the rise, there is an ever increasing and never sated need for blood donations.

With the various kinds of blood types, many think that their type is not the most needed or that only those with O type blood should be dedicated to donating. This is never the case. Although type O and A are rare and needed, many would find is surprising that a common type like B is often run short. The rarest blood type is the one that is not there when needed by a patient. I am type A negative, to which I have been informed that I represent only 11% of the population.  I am regularly called upon, along with type O to donate.

Many do not understand the personal benefits of giving blood, as it does more than just saves lives. Giving blood gives you the opportunity to replenish your body with new blood, which I can say from experience is like waking up from a refreshing sleep and feeling both clean and proud. It is also a widely unknown fact that the average person consumes more iron than is required, leaving the extra iron to become “free radicals” in your body, disrupting normal cell function and increasing the risk of heart disease and cancer. Woman normally shed the extra iron during their period, yet men and post-menopausal woman do not have this opportunity. By donating blood, the body is able to rid itself of the extra iron. It has been proven that men who regularly donate blood have a far less risk of heart disease, which as the leading cause of death in males, making it a significant enough reason to donate.

Besides lowering your risk for cancer and other health issues, you are also given a pre examination before donating. This exam measures your blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and iron levels. For those who have high blood pressure, this is more than just an added convenience; it is a way to check up on your current health without a trip to the doctors. Think of it as a 2 for 1 deal where everyone wins. 

When I donate, I donate for not only my family or friends, but for the people I may never know or ever meet, but they are someone’s family, and losing family over something as simple as lack of blood is inexcusable if we are really working to help our fellow man. 

You would never think that it would be your mother who needed blood, yet if she were the one in the hospital bed dying, would you not be grateful for those who took the time to give her the chance at life?

When donated blood is needed every 2 seconds, will you be the one to answer the call? Will you be brave enough to endure a mere 10 seconds of pain to secure the remaining years of a life that would be sorrowly missed?

The greatest peak in blood shortages happens at both the summer and winter holidays, so before you open your gifts and enjoy spending your holidays with those you care about most, think of those who will never be able to share those moments with family and friends again. All it takes is a donation from you to ensure their life and love.

So donate today because remember, blood is in you to give.