2010 Vancouver Olympic Opening Ceremonies a 'Whale' of a good time?

On Friday, February 12, 2010, Canada started off the Winter Olympic Games with an astounding opening ceremony.

The three-hour program paid dedication to national history, athletic talent and Canadian pride. It is an understatement to say that the performance blew the roof off the place (especially since it was the floor that was shaking, changing and lighting up). So why is everyone so upset?

Yes, the performance did showcase a lot of what most Canadians would call "old history" with a huge tribute to our native heritage. Yes, some of the singers were lip-synching and yes, of course there was some sort of mechanical malfunction. But does Canada really deserve all the heat it is getting?

Does no one remember when China wanted to launch a weather-changing balloon into the sky to ensure the best-forecast possible when they were hosting the Olympics? Where was their heat? Their opening ceremony wasn't perfect at all.

As I have mentioned before, the floor would shake, change colors, change themes and light up. Each theme not only depicted a new mood but it also paid tribute to each of Canada's four seasons. We saw autumn colors and leaves for the fall, snow, ice and polar bears and whales for the winter, etc.

I think that to remain so caught up on a little mechanical malfunction is just absurd. It is embarrassing to our country to have fellow Canadians twittering about this mishap some five days later. Where is the Canadian pride?

In case you haven't noticed, our athletes have been making us pretty damn proud so far. And with a gold medal already in hand, don't you think we should move on?

Get past the somewhat overdone native tribute, the mechanical malfunction and look at the art and pride that went into this event.

Where PR is found in YOUR everyday life PART 3

ACTION VS REACTION
----------------------------- = PR
CONSEQUENCE

Have you ever seen a minor car accident where one person was most definitely at fault and denied blame but instead pointed fingers, made accusations or just flat out acted completely inappropriately?

This is a very common occurrence. It is easy for us to loose our 'cool' sometimes in the heat of the moment. Although it can be common, it does not make it acceptable.

Most people who react this way don't deal with the consequences. In your everyday life, you may be able to get away with it. For celebrities in their everyday life, they can't. They need to address that they have made a mistake, reacted in the heat of the moment and issue an apology.

Where do you see that in your everyday life?

In the workplace or classroom sure, you may see people fess up and claim responsibility and deal with the consequences. In a situation such as a minor accident, where you may never see that person again, the consequence goes on without having been dealt with and the communication issue is never tackled.

PR in these situations may leave us with a little more peace and more effective ways of communicating with each other.

Where PR is found in YOUR everyday life PART 2

BRANDING...

It is almost an everyday occurrence when we hear new rumors about someone around us. Being in college, it is unusual to not hear these things.

Most of the time it is the negative false accusations we hear or spread and rarely ever false stories of triumph (spread by a third party).

This is a sure method to ruin an individuals brand. (Yes, we as people have our own brands or reps as well.)

Most of the time, these rumors are created out of spite, jealousy or wrongful communication among peers.

Without PR (taking control of the situation), these rumors go uncleared and leave a mark on your brand. PR is (among other things) an effective way of communicating and protecting these brands in your everyday life.

Where PR is found in YOUR everyday life

Since I have started taking this Public Relations course, a lot of people have asked me "what the heck is PR?" or "why is that even necessary?" To these people, I try to explain that public relations is all around them. Most of the time they still don't get it. So for those people, this blog is for you.

Public relations has been around you your whole life. For example, think back to when you were in highschool. Try to remember that one time you told that ONE person your parents were going away for the weekend. Next thing you knew, the whole school was talking about a party happening in your crib. This is an everyday example of PR in your life.

Now, I know in this situation you wouldn't be able to just call a press conference or send off a news release telling everyone otherwise. But you would need to handle it with some serious communication strategies. Communication is just one thing I learn in my PR course.

A Public Relations Rant...

Social media... social media... social media...

It's everywhere.

By now, everyone should be aware of what it is. It is everywhere we look. Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Blogspot and Myspace are just a few examples of this new social explosion.

I have discussed social media in a previous post and the new effect it has on our society today. For PR, it could make or break you. Before you are even aware of a situation, people are blogging, facebooking and tweeting about you or your company.

Two students in my Public Relations class have recently just be involved in a social media explosion. As a joke, fellow classmates whom we'll call Sonny and Cher, posted on Facebook that they were in a relationship.

Within two hours of the posting, the relationship status post was removed and the couple 'broke up' but that did not put an end to all the attention. Congratulatory phone calls by Sonny's mother were flooding his cell phone as tons of people began commenting on the post and writing on each others walls. Even now, about one week after the 'break-up', questions are still arising by peers about what really happened, whether the two are 'still together' and why they 'broke up'.

It just goes to show that you should watch what you are posting online because you can never really be sure what kind of fire it will start or who will see it.

As for Sonny and Cher, they are making out as best they can. Dealing with this PR crisis on a daily basis. Coming to class for the two is like walking into a daily press conference.

Social media. Its everywhere. Its everyone.

Someone once told me "develop your writing skills. It is the most important skill to have in communications and public relations." It is because of this advice that I am constantly trying to become a better writer and improve in every aspect of my writing. I owe it all to Michael Jacoby.

I met Michael Jacoby when I was in the ninth grade. It was 'bring your kid to work day' and he was a coworker of my mothers at MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation). At the time, the only career I had in mind was becoming a firefighter but when Michael was done giving an inspiring speech to a large group of 'minor niners', that had all changed. So when Kerry, my PR teacher at Loyalist College asked us to interview a PR professional, I knew just who I wanted to contact.

Below is the interview I conducted with Michael Jacoby through email. He was kind enough to share a moment of his time with me as well as great words of advice. Enjoy.

1) What is your specific job title?
Director of Communications

2) What is your education background?
I have Bachelor of Arts Degree from York University and a Certificate in Public Relations from Ryerson.

3) What inspired you to get involved in public relations or communications?

I took a few social science and communications courses in university. These courses taught me about media and communications I also enjoyed writing, which is an essential skill for public relations and communications.

4) Are you involved in any professional associations? If so, which ones and how do you benefit from this?

I am a member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). This is the largest association of communications professionals in the world. I benefit from attending IABC conferences as they give me an opportunity to learn about what others in my profession are doing to be successful. Most recently, I was given an Award of Merit from the IABC for MPAC's marketing and communications. It was a great honor for my team and MPAC.

5) How has this field evolved or changed since you began your career?
There have been many changes, but I would have to say that new technologies, particularly new media, have changed the field of communications.

6) Do you believe these changes to have a positive effect on the industry and how did you adjust? I definitely believe the changes have been really positive for the communications industry. It has given communicators many new channels to reach key audiences. Through the Internet, for example, our communications can be multi-dimensional and interactive. This is much different that having an ad in a newspaper. The Internet, if it is done correctly, can capture and hold the attention of your audience more than conventional advertising.

At MPAC, we have embraced online technology and it really has improved our communications with our customers, the property taxpayers of Ontario.

7) What has been your biggest success in this industry?
I would have to say the recent IABC award, but I have been a part of many successful campaigns in my 20 year career.

8) If you could change one thing about this industry, what would it be and why?
Tough question, but I would have to say the industry needs to keep pace with the latest technologies, particularly social media such as Facebook and Twitter. These have become powerful communications tools.

9) If you could give public relations students one piece of advice what would it be?
Develop your writing skills. It is the most important skill to have in communications and public relations. Also, learn how to use design programs such as photoshop, indesign and Quark Express. If you are just starting out in the profession, try to get into a PR consulting firm. You may not get paid much at the beginning, but the experience will more than pay off down the road.

10) What is the best part of your job?

I enjoy writing and strategy development. It's also fun to see when an idea you have actually comes to life.

11) What is your least favourite part of your job?
Really long meetings.

Coffee and cookies for a good cause

Each year Loyalist College, a team of staff and students come together to develop a fundraising campaign for the United Way. This year, I am part of the team.

We came together and decided upon a goal of &12,000. In order to raise this amount of money, we planned on holding a number of different events on campus. Staff and faculty of the college can donate in a few different ways and students can participate in a variety of events.

One event, I have blogged about previously, Casino Loyale, was very successful and helped us out greatly on the campaign. Other than this, students as well as staff can participate in a book sale, the police run, and other exciting events.

On Friday November 6, we held a coffee and cookie sale on campus. We didn't set a specific goal because it was such a small event but I did set a personal goal of raising at least $200. We had several volunteers come out for the morning to help us sell. They were all fellow classmates from the Public Relations Program. It was great to have the help and support.

There were 3 tables set up within the college. One on the third floor, one in the cafeteria and one in front of the Shark Tank Pub. People were able to purchase a coffee and three cookies for just $2.00. The coffee was donated by Chartwells and the cookies from Club 213. Most of our customers were staff who were more than happy to show their support and students loved the delicious cookies.

At the end of the day we had raised $208.75 making the event a successful one. We will be holding the same event a few more times throughout the year. Thanks to everyone who came out to help or show their support!