Media Conference 4 - Dr. Peter Milne

Culture Jamming - The War on Brands

Dr. Peter Milne is a lecturer at the University of Queensland. His qualifications include a PhD, a masters in visual art and a bachelor of fine arts. Today he graced a group of young public relations students with his presence and introduced to them the concept of Visual Culture Jamming.

Dr. Milne describes Culture Jamming as an engagement with existing media in a socially critical way. It involves inverting existing media; turning things upside down to create something politically challenging. Cultural Jammers believe that iconic brands are a damaging influence on our personal identities, and therefore on society. They have waged a war against the big brands.

Visual Culture Jamming starts off with detournement; the act of of lifting an image or message out of its context to give it a new meaning. Artists play around with the iconic images of society in a humorous way, usually to make a political statement.

Large corporations are often the target of Culture Jams, as they are influential players in creating culture. Culture Jamming keeps up the pressure on political figures and corporations to adjust to the concerns of the consumer.

It could be said that the rapid increasing popularity of Culture Jamming could also be the death of it. There are many examples of things that start out as counter-cultural statements, then are commoditised and mass-produced to the point where their original meaning is no longer recognisable, undermining the wit of the Culture Jam in the first place. The Jam ends up becoming everything it once hated. 

The battle for virtuous Culture Jamming continues today in a society where the very institutions sought out to challenge, are the ones most taking advantage of the Jam. 

Here are some examples of popular Culture Jams. 

How to be Persuasive - Professional Presentation skills

Presenting is one of the hardest things to do. Like, ever. Let's not lie, we all pretty much despise it. 
Here are some reminders and tips to help you write and present like a pro. 

Presentations – 

• Benefit – You must grab the audience's attention in the first 15 seconds, so offer a benefit to listen. 
• Agenda – Use tools throughout the speech to set up the agenda. 
• Credentials – Be credible and believable. 
• Argument – The content in the body of your speech must reinforce the main argument (repetition).
• Flag – Use devices to retain/regain attention.
• Take home message – Don't forget the final message or reward for your audience for going along with you.

Ask yourself – 

• Who is my audience? 
• Why should they listen – what’s in it for them? 
• What is the purpose of my speech? 
• What structure will I use? 
• What persuasive strategies do I have? 
• What do I want the audience to do with the information?

Planning to speak – 

• Know your audience, but don’t prejudge. 
• Know what you want your audience to know, and how to achieve this. 
• Know why you are giving the speech – to inform, persuade, remind? 
• Know time constraints. Have the skill of knowing when to shut up. 
• Have a clear achievable goal in mind – to provoke action or emotion, etc. 

Preparing a presentation – 

• Set a goal 
• Collect info 
• Select relevant points 
• Structure clearly 
• Intro- about 10% of speech. Must be creative and catchy and delivered well. Refine as you continue writing. 
• Body – about 80%. Have about 4 major points and use signposts to emanate flow. 
• Conclusion – about 10%. End with a bang & give a call to action. 
• Create creatively 
• Organise & memorise

Aristotle’s 5 Canons – 

Keep these in mind when creating and presenting. 

• Invention – Ethos (credibility), pathos (emotions), logos (logic) 
• Arrangement – Structure of ideas and style 
• Style – Language, rhythm, clarity, appropriateness 
• Memory – patterns to trigger recall, from known to unknown, concrete to abstract, problem to solution 
• Delivery – vocal quality, phrasing, pause, posture, gesture, eye contact.

Principles of simple language – 

• Think before you write, then write logically and naturally. 
• Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases. 
• Avoid redundancies, & unwanted rhyming and alliteration 
• Use contractions carefully 
• Use short sentences, vary sentence structure and use active voice 

Principles of meaningful language – 

• Create word pictures 
• Use analogies 
• Use the right words, strong verbs & give precise descriptions 
• Replace clichés, & avoid journalese, loaded or pretentions words. 
• Write honestly 

Principles of inclusive language –

• Use gender inclusive terms 
• Use neutral words 
• Avoid gender stereotypes 
• Exercise caution with race, religion and ethnicity 
• Be sensitive in describing age and ability 
• Describe physical characteristics with care 
• Avoid offensive language and terms

Mechanics of voice – 

• Breathing and breath control 
• Diaphragmatic breathing (c/w shallow breathing) 
• Vocal cords and voice placement 
• Resonating chambers (head and chest) 
• Volume control (does not happen in throat) 

Relaxation when presenting – 

• Physical relaxation – loosen up, try and be comfortable 
• Open up neck, shoulders and torso 
• Ensure posture is correct 
• Vary your voice – introduce energy, emphasis and enthusiasm 
• Use more variety of voice when presenting in groups 
• Lift your energy/performance levels to be higher than that of the audience 
• Don’t be afraid to let personality/enthusiasm show 
• Vary pace and tone
• Practice out loud! You will gain confience.  
• Use natural language, natural pace and tone – as if in a conversation 

Final tips - 

• Paint a verbal picture 
• Make abstract examples concrete 
• Speak in short sentences 
• Ask rhetorical questions 
• Use pauses to your advantage
• Use natural gestures – avoid habitual mannerisms like playing with hair 
• Make direct eye contact with audience members – speak to them like normal human beings
• Monitor audience for non-verbal feedback

The best advice when it comes to presenting confidently is to remember that you are just a human talking to a bunch of other humans. You are not a robot - don't sound like one. And remember, there is not a single person in the audience who doesn't think you are brave for just being up there. Almost everyone in the world is afraid of public speaking - even those who are really good at it. Remember it is a common fear, as this will help you relax. The less nervous you feel, the less likely you are to stuff up, so don't stress it too much. Your best is all you can do. Happy presenting!

Help Protect Our Beautiful Reef!

The Magnificent Great Barrier Reef

Last week, the Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke approved an enormous new coal terminal, known as T3, in the World Heritage Reef.

It has come down to us, the proud people of Australia to help protect our one-of-a-kind reef and stop this coal terminal from being built. 

Click here to help out!

Paraprosdokians to Live Your Life By..

A Para-Whaa?!

I had to look up "paraprosdokian". The definition reads: "Figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently used in a humorous situation." "Where there's a will, I want to be in it," is a type of paraprosdokian.

1.. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

2.. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on my list.

3.. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

4.. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

5.. We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.

6.. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

7.. Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

8.. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good Evening,' and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

9.. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

10. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

11. I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted pay cheques

12. Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says, 'In case of emergency, please notify...' I put 'DOCTOR.'

13. I didn't say it was your fault. I said I was blaming you.

14. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.

15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

16. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

17. I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.

18. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

19. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

20. There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.

21. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.

22. You're never too old to learn something stupid.

23. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

24. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

25. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

26. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

27. A diplomat is someone who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you look forward to the trip.

28. Hospitality is making your guests feel at home even when you wish they were.

29. I always take life with a grain of salt.......plus a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila.

30. When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water. 

Words of Wisdom.... "The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."

A PR Pro Walks Into A Bar..

7 jokes about aspects of public relations to put a smile on your dial as you endure another day in the office. 

On news releases

Q: How many PR people does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Four. One to change the bulb and three to write the holding statement, key messages, and the news release.

On writing and editing

A writer and an editor are making their way through the desert. The sun is beating down, and they're parched beyond belief. Up one dune and down the next they go—walking, stumbling, crawling. Just when they're about to give up, they look over a sandy crest and see an oasis.

Revitalized, they stagger toward it, with the writer leading the way. He lands face first at the edge of the cool water, cups his hands, and drinks. 

Suddenly, a few feet to his left he hears a soft splashing sound. He looks over and sees that the editor is peeing into the water. 

In stunned disbelief, the writer yells, “What the hell are you doing?” 

The editor, without even looking up, says calmly, “I'm making it better.” 

On media relations 

Three journalists walk past a bar … hey, it could happen. 

On explaining PR

What does the wife of a public relations expert do when she has insomnia? 

She rolls over and says, “Tell me again, darling, just what is it that you do for a living?” 

On client work

A PR pro dies and goes to heaven. “There must be some mistake,” she argues, standing in front of the Pearly Gates. “I’m too young to die. I’m only 45.”

“Forty-five?” says Saint Peter. “According to our calculations, you’re 82.”

“How’d you get that number?” she asks.

“Well,” said Saint Peter, “we added up your time sheets.”

On branding 

Q. What's the difference between a squirrel and a rat? 

A. PR. 

On grammar

A dangling modifier walks into a bar. After finishing a drink, the bartender asks it to leave.

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Creating Atmosphere: 'Spooktastic'

The Tale of Bloody Mary

'Standing in front of the dirty mirror in the darkened room, the girl took a deep breath. 'Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary,' she whispered, body trembling. With a deafening crack, the mirror in front of her shattered into a thousand pieces and cut her skin all over. A disfigured woman, covered in blood and dirt suddenly appeared in front of the girl. The woman had eyes of pure, black, piercing evil.

There she was, Bloody Mary in the flesh.'

'Creating Atmosphere - Spooktastic' is a presentation design to spook your pants off. It is in the genre of gothic horror, and will inject fear into the depths of your soul.. Okay, maybe not quite, but it will enhance your Halloween wisdom and entice your taste for terror. Be entertained by a short clip - all things Halloween and humorous; get ready to party at our Halloween-themed Fab-Bash. But most exciting of all, relive the fear and adrenalin rush of the tale of Bloody Mary Worthington.

Halloween, also known as All Hallows Eve, is an annual holiday celebrated around the world on October 31st. History states that Halloween originally began by incorporating traditions from pagan harvest festivals, and other festivals honoring the dead. Common Halloween festivities include Trick-or-Treating; getting dressed up and annoying your neighbours by threatening them for candy, Costume Parties; one of the only times a lady can step out of the house in lingerie and still be socially acceptable, and the crafting of Jack-O-Lanterns; freaky-faced vegetables and with candles inside them.

Are you gonna get your Halloween on this year?

Check Out My Pinterest! :)

Check out my Pinterest boards for photo inspiration, life inpiration, PR inspiration and more. 

“It is only when our fate hangs in the balance, when our very life depends on something, that we see whether or not we trust that the rope to which we are clinging will support us. If we do not, then we let of of the ledge and swing on it with our full weight.” ― Margaret George, The Memoirs Of Cleopatra Natalia Jeshoa.

http://pinterest.com/prinspiration/

Media Kit Ingredients

Media kits are the perfect way to help get your business known, whatever it may be.
A media kit is a collection of information, designed to answer all questions any media may have. A good media kit will grab the attention of the reader; it will leave a lasting impression and create enough interest to make potential investors want to contact you.

Here is a list of some essential ingredients every good media kit should contain:

1. A Cover to Blow Their Socks Off; 

Make it professional, make it eye-catching and make it relevant.

2. A Media Release;

Your media release must answer the 5 W's & H (Who, What, When, Where Why & How). The best structure for media releases is the good old inverted pyramid. Start with the most interesting and work from there. Make it newsworthy and satisfy your audience. Draw your readers in; use visual imagery and be creative and concise.

3. A Profile;

Your media kit profile should be about a person who has current involvement with your business - eg. your new CEO. Be sure to include a photo.

4. A Backgrounder;

A backgrounder is just that; a document which gives background information. There are three types of backgrounders; those about people, those about historical events and those about organisations/products/services. Backgrounders should include a combination of text and images and should be aesthetically pleasing.

5. Fact Sheets; 

Fact sheets should be a chronological collection of milestone moments your company has had. They are allowed to be a little quirky; stranger than fiction even. The purpose of fact sheets is to give the media additional insights, or colour, for a story.

There are many more elements you may wish to include in your media kit, depending on your business; extra photos, company merchandise, reports, fliers or brochures. The options are endless, its all up to you. Have a specific theme in mind for your media kit and stick to it. Be as creative as you can be. Go wild! Make your audience want to go wild with you. Good luck!

Technical Data - Caff-fiends!

Hey you there! Yes you, Public Relations worker. Are you a pothead too?

Recently, Dunkin' Donuts and CareerBuilder conducted their third annual study into the most caffienated professions of all. Their results concluded that coffee plays a big role in helping professionals perk up at work. The survey ranked Public Relations professionals as the fourth biggest coffee junkies in the US.. Surprised? I'm not! 

Food preparation/service workers topped the list, followed by scientists and sales representatives. PR and marketing professionals came in at fourth; next came nurses, media workers, business executives and teachers. 

63% of US workers claim to drink at least two magic cups per day, with 55% admitting to drinking at least one. 43% of workers claim they are less productive when deprived of caffeine  Results of the study showed younger workers were slightly more likely to be reliant on their coffee for motivation and energy than older workers. 

The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive© on behalf of CareerBuilder.com among almost 5,000 U.S. workers (employed full-time, not self-employed, government and non-government). This puts the error margin for results at about +/- 1.43 percentage points.

Food for Thought:

They didn't survey students.

Students are the biggest bunch of coffee guzzlers I know! It would be interesting to see results from that demographic. Speaking of all this coffee, I think I need one now..

Media Conference 3 - The Life of Luke Royes

Luke Royes is man of many talents.
He is currently an ABC online journalist but has had much industry experience, previously working for News Ltd, The Gold Coast Bulletin, and City News at Quest Newspapers. His exceptional ability to do what he does is partly thanks to the wonderful Journalism program at the University of Queensland; Royes graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2005. 

His blog is a casual collection of entertainment yarns for inner-city publication. However, his real passion lies with investigative journalism and hard news. 

My class of UQ Public Relations students were lucky enough to have media conference with Royes where he gave some incredibly handy social media tips for the aspiring online blogger - 

'It is important to remain active and comfortable, and know the ground rules of whatever Social Media you are using - this way you will avoid making career threatening mistakes. As Mark Colvin, ABC Presenter advises; The golden rule is, just don't be a dickhead!'

· Twitter 

o Be sure to keep up to date on what’s happening with the latest news 

o Tweet about important things; press conferences, court cases 

· Facebook 

o The strength of the application lies with photos, videos, and detailed discussions - utilise this! 

o Facebook has a massive established network which may help your cause 

· Four Square 

o Allows people to check in at places they like; checking-In at places is popular these days and keeping up with trends is important 

o Business can give discounts if customers check in - gives incentive. 

· Instagram 

o Creating brand recognition through aesthetics 

o Assists in keeping events in the minds of people 

· Pinterest 

o People Still catching on - could be the next big thing 

o Good for showcasing business services 

o Things can be shared easily, increasing popularity.

Happy blogging kids!

Writing Always Counts.

Here are 5 keys to being powerful with your words.
Whether it be a journalistic article, a media release, or a note to the person whose car you just scratched, the way you write always counts. 

1. Say it out loud, say it proud.

Most people sound much more fluid when talking than in their written voice.

So, first of all, say what you want out loud before writing it. 

Picture the audience. Explain what you need to clearly, simply and precisely. (but not in a patronizingly). 

2. Unleash the power of the verb. 

Verbs are the best friends of powerful, precise writing. They are strong, vibrant, and specific. Verbs help writers immediately convey an image to readers that would take many more words of description, otherwise.  

Keep in mind, especially when you’re stuck, that the clearest construction of sentences are noun/verb. Always. It’s foolproof.

3. Show, don’t tell. 

Use visual imagery and your audience is guaranteed to respond better. 

4. Provide examples.

Anecdotes help writing. If the concept you are writing about is not common knowledge, using examples that compares to familiar topics will helps readers understand.

5. Toss out wordy baggage

Hunt down and strike out phrases and words that do nothing except take up space. Just like these 11:

• there is

• it is

• and the reason why

• seeing as how

• during the course of

• due to the fact of

• as of now

• at the present

• at this point in time

• on account of

• despite the fact that

Hope these tips have been helpful. Happy writing everyone. 

Media Conference 2 - The Fantastical Frances Whiting

Frances Whiting is an author and established Courier Mail/Sunday Mail journalist. 

She began her life journey by studying a degree in Business and Journalism at QUT. Interestingly, her career then took a left turn and she became a primary school teacher at a poor school in East London. She describes this as being one of her most memorable experiences; the parents of students were mostly criminals, however they respected Frances and the way she refused to give up on her students. 

Frances eventually trekked back to Australia where she landed a job with a small newspaper, The Sunshine Coast Extra. Her journalistic career skyrocketed after being offered a job at the Brisbane Sunday Mail; she was invited to write a one-off column about the Ekka - that one-off turned into a weekly column that was 16 years strong. 

In her time she has been lucky enough to meet and interview some incredible people - Steve Irwin, Bill Clinton, even One Direction (girly squeal!)!. Frances has covered many stories, but there are some she holds especially close to her heart; like the story of Sophie Delezio. For those of you who haven't heard of her, Sophie is a heroic little battler. She was the victim of a car that crashed into her daycare; she lost her right hand and her left leg was terribly burned. Four years later, after making a full recovery from this tragedy, Sophie was hit by a car. These moments stopped Australia and captured the hearts of all. Frances covered these stories as they developed, and has an incredible amount of respect for Sophie and her family. They have always kept in touch since. 

So listen up, budding journalists! Frances has some very useful tips for you all. 

1. Find your own voice. Find your own way of doing things. Find something you are passionate and enthusiastic about, and you will succeed. 
2.  Make use of all social media platforms in order to get your voice heard. Be sure to get the basics right first – write well, know names and always research background information.
3. Be sure to build relationships with everyone you encounter in your professional ventures, starting in university - contacts are everything in this industry. 

You can keep up with Frances and her fantastical adventures by following her on Twitter - @FrancesWhiting. 

Relevant.

Know your social media. 

5 Simple Social Media Rules

Doing Social Media Without a Strategy? You're gonna have a bad time. 

Oh Wonka. You really do have a meme for everything. 

Now, social Media can be a cost-effective way to increase your business/company's following and client base. It's one of the best platforms to assist in generating buzz about your products and services and expand your company. Here are some simple rules to follow for when you decide to take the leap on to the corporate social media sphere bandwagon. 

Be kind to others.

Social media is about building an engaged community of followers who may frequent your business. Engage with these people on a personal level. Be their friend. Talk with them and not at them.

One at a time, kids!

You may be tempted to jump aboard all the social media ships (there's Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Pinterest, the list is endless..), but do you or your staff really have time for all this? My guess is no. 

Figure out where your audience is and start there. It's far better to build an engaged following on a single network, than to have inactive profiles on several networks.

Inside voices, now. 

Social Media is not about advertising. Posting Facebook messages about how great your company is and why your products are the best may seem like a great thing to do, but it's not. Marketers need to quash any urges to use their advertising voices here. It's like shouting at your customers through a megaphone when you should be conversing over a cup of coffee.

Ask and answer customers questions, post polls, and invite customers to post stories about your business. Tell customers about your news and specials, but make sure you talk about other things too.

Play by the rules.

Be sure you know the rules of the networks you use and play within them. There are great, cost-effective contest and promotion applications you can use to host giveaways on Facebook, so check them if you want to offer a giveaway. Offering a free widget or coupon to everyone who likes your company on Facebook may help to gain followers, but it's also against Facebook's rules and can cause the network to shut down your page. This would force you to build your following all over again.

Practice patience.

Just like Rome wasn't built in a day, successful social media programs do not happen overnight. But, the payoff is worth it in the long run. Don't give up and don't be swayed by trolls. 

12 Communication Basics

12 Golden Rules

Becky Gaylord worked as a reporter for more than 15 years in Washington, D.C., Cleveland, and Sydney, Australia, before she launched the consulting practice, Gaylord LLC.

Here she gives 12 great tips for basic communication in the professional Public Relations industry. 

1. Voice mail greeting

Smile when you record it. You don’t want to sound perky, just pleasant. Listen to the difference when you record the message while wearing a happy face—it might surprise you.

2. Email subject line

Never leave it blank. This rudely assumes that whatever you have to say is so important that the recipients will open it anyway. Think of the subject as a headline. Tease the main point there. A short, catchy, specific subject is sure to get a quicker response than the dreaded “following up” or “hi.”

3. Email message body

In a business-related email, leave out the emoticons, especially when the message is being sent to your superiors or more than one person.

4. All communication

Ask or notice if the recipient has a preferred way to be contacted. Some live and breathe through texting. Email is best for others. And others still want calls. Your message will be received more effectively if it comes in on the channel your audience prefers.

5. Phone calls

When on a phone call, be present. It’s obvious—and disrespectful—when callers are distracted and multitasking. If it’s not a good time to talk, just say so, and arrange another time to speak.

6. Conference calls

Thankfully, many conference calls are muted by the moderator or administrator. But if the one you’re on is not muted automatically, do so anyway. It is so annoying to hear someone munching, typing, or snoring (yep, I’ve heard that) on a conference call. Even background noise can be distracting.

7. Conversations in person or on the phone

Allow the other person to finish their sentence. It’s polite and civil, and helps keep conversations that way, too.

8. Interrupting

But if necessary to interject—and sometimes it is—use a trick like: “So allow me to stop you there…” Or, “To clarify, I’d like to ask…” Or, “OK, so to respond to your point…”

9. “I’ll have to get back about that”

No problem. Just make sure to do so. And promptly.

10. Meetings

People (peers and managers) know who’s listening and contributing—and who’s checking their phones. Participate and respect the task at hand.

11. Starting a conversation

Whether popping into someone’s office or calling them on the phone, take a moment to ask if it’s a good time.

12. Written communication

The tone of voice, facial gestures, and other communication clues are absent in a memo or an email. Make sure to use please, thank you, and other signs of manners in written communication. Those soften a tone that, otherwise, can sound colder or harsher than intended.

Media Conference 1 - Robert Mukombozi

Robert Mukombozi

Robert Mukombozi is a Rwandan investigative journalist; he is also one of the bravest and most inspirational people I've been privileged enough to be in the presence of.  He is currently in Australia after being exiled here due to his relentless quests for truth and passion for social justice. Robert Mukombozi embodies the essential spirit of determination, even in the face of jail terms, violent attacks and even death. He is dedicated to exposing the evils of bad governance around the world, and creating press freedom and positive change. 

Mukombozi managed to escape Rwanda despite being sentenced to death. The hardship he has endured in the watchdog pursuit of creating a better world is truly awe-inspiring. Mukombozi received an award for being one of the 100 most influential Africans at the Australian 'Celebrate Africans' event in August this year. He is also one of the 14 members of the first ever Ministerial Consultative Committee for African Communities in Australia. He is currently completing a Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communication at Griffith University. He writes for the African Executive, and was formerly a journalist with the Daily Monitor. 

As does everyone, Mukombozi has his critics. One influential blogger has described him as an arrogant self-crusader and fraud. The blogger states - 

'Of course, what Mukombozi is doing is not reporting at all; it is partisan political activism dressed up as journalism to give it credibility it isn’t even close to deserving on its own merits. That’s fine as far as it goes — political activism is all well and good — but let’s at least see the con for what it is.' (Full article available here.)

In my opinion, political activism and journalism are often one and the same. Mukombozi is a journalist, whose focus is generally on politics - but that does not make him any less a journalist/reporter. In fact, the world of journalism probably could do with a few more Mukombozi types. 

I give my utmost respect and Mukombozi and his quests to make the world a better place. Check out some of his articles here.

PR vs. Marketing

Okay, so, lets get one thing straight. 

Public Relations is NOT the same as marketing. 

Public Relations activities often fall under the label of 'uncontrolled media'; this means that PR professionals do not get a say if, when, or where their material will ever get exposed. They do not pay for publicity. They are better than that. ;) 

Well yes actually Mr Wonka, the average Public Relations professional can write a pretty bangin' press release. Maybe you wouldn't have had to shut down your factory for so long if you had a Public Relations professional on your team of oompas.

Anyway, a press release or media release consists of written or recorded communication directed at media, for the purpose of announcing something newsworthy. Media releases must answer the who, what, when, where, why and how of whatever they are promoting. 

But what exactly is considered newsworthy you may ask? Well, there is no solid definition of what is newsworthy. Deciding what is newsworthy is an acquired journalistic skill. However, if a story can satisfy one or more of these news values, it may just have a chance at being newsworthy.

8 Major News Values –

o Proximity

o Prominence

o Currency

o Timeliness

o Conflict

o Impact

o Human interest

o Odd or unusual

So, next time you've got your press-release-writing-pants on, be sure to consider all the things we've discussed today. You sir, are not a marketing man. Oh no, you are not. You are a Public Relations professional! Wear your title with pride and be sure to do us proud. Satisfy some damn news values, and answer those 5 W's and that H like you really mean it. 

Just for fun..

Why Hello There!

How are you doing today, fellow blogger?

Bored? Feeling dull? Looking for some inspiration to spark your enthusiasm? Oh, you have come to the right place.

Welcome to my weird and wonderful blog. Here I will aim to inform and inspire around the topic of Public Relations writing. Or should I say, Public Relations storytelling. 

Public Relations involves the management of the flow of information between an organisation/individual, and the public. 

Public Relations storytelling relates to the incorporation of the written word, spoken word and visual images into this practice. Public Relations storytelling is creative; it is subjective, emotive, free form, colourful and filled of fun. 

Many people may consider Public Relations professionals to be spin doctors. But we are most certainly not! We are storytellers. And this clip details some of the stuff we have to do on a daily basis. 

Enjoy bloggers,

Lauren.