PR Seminar

PR: Tips, Tools, Tactics and Trends Public relations is an essential marketing tool for any company seeking to raise awareness, promote products and services, and boost sales. For firms that are planning on incorporating a public relations program into their broader marketing effort, it is important to keep in mind the tips, tools, strategies and trends of public relation. Most businesses or nonprofits have a unique narrative way of showing their projects in helping the Filipinos. One example is the slide show of Globe’s project, “Bridging Community” which allows the company to reach out to the communities where they operate. According to the first speaker Mr. Edwin P. Galvez, President of Strategic PR Solutions & Options, this program helps to empower community leaders, improve the entrepreneurial skills, and develop education in 1,100 schools and initiatives in 1,100 baranggays. He also discussed about publicity and said that it is an unpaid form of communication that needs an effort to capture media attention. He gave us tips and countdown of 10 important things to remember about publicity. (Not all publicists are public relation practitioner, think like a journalist in doing your story, there’s no shortcut to a good publicity campaign, It doesn’t pay to pay, your word is everything, be accessible always, no close media this can make up for lousy stories, build authentic relationship, talent isn’t everything hard work is, and the number1 is to be a jack of all trades) I’ve gain enough knowledge about his lecture because he explains it according on to what he experienced in his profession. The next speaker Ms. Artema Ligaya Huang shared tactics to become a good event manager. I learned that preparing plans, speeches, having checklist before brainstorming, reading articles, sitting on advisory boards and being organized are all good tactics for small businesses. A media event is a public relations tool that can be a powerful way for virtually any small business to get a lot of exposure. Preparing budget, proposing the events, assigning tasks, preparing of collateral, selecting vendor, confirming date and analyzing the event are the procedure that she shared to us to have a successful event. She also remind us to give thank you notes, send news letters to follow up the clients, and freebies for them to appreciate the event. Ms. Artema also told us that it is important to collect names for contacts which are useful for other upcoming event. On the last part of the seminar, they showed us The Anvil Awards competition (truth, transparency, excellent concern for public interest) which is conducted annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines that honors excellence in Public Relations practice. According to Mr. Galvez, all widely recognized professionals are chosen not only for their competence and expertise, but also for their admirable reputation and therefore it is the most desirable distinction, and the goal to aim for in PR. Overall the seminar was successful and it really helped us students to realize that in any profession, only the best manage to stay at the top. When more great people and minds enter the profession, they will create their space. The seminar gave us enough information on what are the benefits of being a good events manager and a public relation practitioner. It inspired us to pursue this line of career in the future because of its good job opportunity. They gave us a brief discussion of PR process, history, publicity, and advertising, and also this seminar offers a good learning experience that we can’t get just inside the classroom. The speakers connect their lecture on to what they experienced in their job and shared their personal achievements, ability and knowledge which I can apply in my future career.

Sulpicio Lines PR..

As days passed after M/V Princess of the Stars capsized in rough waters during a typhoon, the public witnessed how Sulpicio Lines handle the crisis. As I heard the news there was an initial sympathy message that was sent to media outfits. The families of the victims were mad because the officials of the company were failed to give them enough information about the search and rescue operation. In this kind of situation, it is important that the company is accessible to those who need information the most, there should be an update every so often on the details of what the company is doing. For me, Sulpicio Lines needs to get the most sympathetic spokesperson that is effective in responding to questions from the press and the relatives. It’s also advisable if the company have set up a waiting area for the relatives of the victims and give them ample supply of basic needs, provide grief counseling, letting them to attend masses, offer tributes or gave them free flowers, In this ways, the company can show their sympathy in the tragedy. The spokesperson should credibly show that Sulpicio Line is a caring and responsible company and it don't want people to die. He should also explain the side of the company and why they should be trusted again, without giving them false hopes. One of the initial statements of Sulpicio Lines was that P200,000 was allotted for the families of each victim. It seems that the Sulpicio Lines are just equating the value of life with money. They are portraying themselves as a company with no heart, and just showing off their pockets. They need to do everything if they still want their customers to come back and patronize them again after this crisis. Future judgment on the company will largely be on the company’s conduct during the crisis

OJT pART 2

My 2^nd 100 hours at Saga Events:

On-the-job training (OJT) is an activity undertaken at the workplace which is designed to improve an individual’s skills or knowledge. My OJT is getting better and better as the days go by. My supervisor talked about how my OJT will be and they said I can be affiliated with any of their upcoming works and events. Compared to classroom, OJT provides deeper context and more cognitive triggers for questions from us trainee as we struggle to perform a new task in the actual work environment.

Listening skills, being initiative and patience, these were the traits that I gave focus onto my 2^nd 100 hours. The set up designer’s head gave us a task to make a miniature of the FHM set which he’ll present in the briefing of that approaching event. This is my first time to encounter the materials in creating a realistic set. Being resourceful, creative and to have focus and interest into your work are the traits that I’ve learned while doing this mini set. This work gave us an idea on how to create a convincing miniature which we can used in our approaching subjects in Mass Comm.

The Meg Face Search Event at Alabang Town Center was held last April 24-26. I’ve been there for the set up and to assist my head Ms. Mandy del Rosario to prepare the materials and equipments needed in the set. She demonstrates how to perform the task according to the listed standards of performance and taught me some strategies and where it’s applicable for the successful outcome of this event. She also explains the impact when we failed to perform the task. This event gave each applicant a chance to be the next cover of the teen’s magazine Meg and to have a free make over for as long as they have their application forms which they can get from the last page of the magazine. If they don’t have a magazine, they can buy it in front of the activity area of Meg. They have the freedom to borrow and to choose their clothes from the different sponsors (Kashieca, Marithe Francois Girbaud, Plains and Prints, Cinderella/ Seventeen). I was assigned to secure the sponsors materials such as jewelries, cloths, shoes and bags. I need to make sure that every sponsor had already signed our leaflets as a proof that they already received their belongings and to avoid things from being lost. After their make over which is done by our sponsors and after they wear their chosen clothes, they will proceed to the photo shoot area wherein they need to do their best pose for them to be the Meg’s next cover girl.

Some of my colleagues were assigned in the registration and receiving area, dressing room, sponsors area, photo shoot area, exit part, etc. I’ve learned so many things from these experiences and it enhances my ability to organize and to work with others. It was my first experience to sleep at the mall and I really felt so uncomfortable. I learned to work under pressure. At first, I got a problem in facing the people in front of me because I felt so unhygienic. We weren’t able to take a bath that day because the mall doesn’t have a shower room, so we just washed our face, brush our teeth and then that’s it! I find it uneasy to face and to mingle with its participants for the reason that I didn’t take a bath. But happily, the mall is air conditioned and as we assist the candidates, we still try our best to be presentable in front of them. Because of our confidence it is not obvious that we didn’t take bath. This event tests our patience as trainees. I learned how to deal in different people, with different personalities, to know our limitations as an ojt and the last is how to treat clients nicely even though you’re really mad. I understand so many things such as the Saga’s production and techniques in doing an event.

I also went to Mall of Asia and Trinoma together with Mr. Pat Villarojas just to get some pictures and videos of the Adidas store because it is needed as a preparation in the upcoming Event of Adidas. I’ve learned how to deal and coordinate with the store managers and supervisors as I get the floor plan and lay outs of their store. My supervisor told me that it will enhance my communication skills when dealing in different people. I’m also happy to be part of Markati Palazzo’s fitting of clothes at Podium. I’ve got a chance to see my favorite models. My trainer for the day Sir Leo demonstrates us our task and we observe it. He told me to guide those models and to help them in fitting their sponsored clothes before their pictorials. He also coaches me during my performance and criticizes us when he didn’t like our work and gives us a feedback. I also experience to take photos of those models because my trainer assigned me to do so. Good thing I have a background in photo journalism and I applied it when I captured their best pose.

I’ve observed that in this industry that I chose, it’s important to value everyone and to appreciate their contribution. Being moody is a part of the daily routine of each person and as a trainee, being sensitive has no place for this line of career. When my supervisors are in the mood, they would invite me to have lunch with them at a fast food chain, interview me and treat me for dessert in a nearby supermarket. Since I work in a company where restaurants are everywhere, my supervisors really know what places are the best. It's also okay to time-in late after lunch with them. Allowing trainees to practice performing the task under trainer supervision until both the trainer and trainee are confident that the trainee can consistently perform the task and is ready for formal evaluation. For some, OJT can be boring but for me I love the whole experience.

OJT trainers are usually chosen because they are very good at a specific task, I always bear into my mind that I need to strive hard in doing every task that they assigned, for me to be able to have a good record in this company. We are facing a lot of activities this month of May. Although I’m done with my 200 hours, I still chose to stay here at Saga to learn and experience more. I’m waiting fro the big events like fashion show of Markatti Palazzo, Banana Republic, Marlboro Party a red night, Jollibee at Subic, U mobile and a bridal fair. This month is loaded of fun, surprises and I love it.

The best trainers are those who are well respected throughout the department and who are already well-known for their informal “helping and coaching” skills and these are the traits that I’ve observed from my head Ms. Mandy del Rosario and also from the other head department. In Saga my responsibility is to keep my training materials up to date: It was monitored and enforced by my head and she told me that there will be a temptation for you trainers to add “your own” improvements to the training process. I’ve learned that the only way to ensure and maintain consistency in training is to have all trainers accept their responsibility for keeping the training materials up to date and I should know how to manage my time.

In relation to my future profession, I’m glad because I already have a background on how this kind of work is functioning. As I work at this company I’ve observed, learned, proved and discovered so many things about myself. To learn and explore new things, I need to initiate to do something that will help me to discover more things about this company. I’ve got so many more to reminisce about, at least now I’m aware how Saga Events functions and it prepared me for my future career. I understand their company’s procedure and how an event organizing job works and divide their task for each department. I learned not to be sensitive and just be comfortable in every thing you do. This Saga experiences improve my self confidence as a person. I realize that there are more adventures that’s awaits me and I need to be busy and love my job to be successful in this career. I can now feel the true life behind this course that I’ve chosen. I am now excited to meet more journey in this course. As future media practitioner, these experiences serve as a good inspirational start and helped me to know myself more and build my abilities, skills and knowledge.

OJT

My first 100 hours at Saga Events:

Coffee making, typing, photocopying (Xerox machine), and a demanding boss who keeps on imposing so many things which are not related to OJT are the myth that was imposed into my mind. It’s according to some of my senior friends which already experienced their OJT. But is it really a rumors? That’s the question that I need to find out.

On our first day, we are all excited to be here at Saga. It’s a company which organizes events that can help us, students to learn their everyday routine and to adopt their ways of living which is useful in our future career as media practitioner. It was the first day and we’ve met our first major problem. They need to lessen the trainees because our batch was too many and their office can’t accommodate the number of the trainees, so what they do is to divide the students into 2 batches the– MWF and T, TH batch. I was scheduled to attend the T, TH but luckily, my head Ms. Mandy del Rosario under the Production Department wanted me to go in the office everyday to assist her in her busy agenda. She told me not to follow the scheduled given to us by the Operation Manager because she needs assistant in her events. I was so happy because I’m fortunate to be with her responsibility. I’m with Mr. Pat Villarojas but Ms. Mandy assigned us to do different tasks. As I continue my training at Saga Events, I’ve realized so many things in life.

At first, I was not really enjoying the most of OJT. There were boring moments and I’ve proved that those myths about ojt are somehow true. Some of my co-trainees are oblige to make coffees, to run in the near grocery store and to master operating the Xerox machine! I was surprise when I found out, that those rumors were really happening in reality. Fortunately, my first task is to surf the net and to research about creative ideas on how to make an out of the box concept in a wedding proposals and entourage. It seems that I need to improve my skills in terms of typing. They also gave me an assignment of thinking unusual scenarios where people can do two things at the same time. They told me that their going to used this as a concept in one of the major event that their company is dealing with.

For the past few weeks, everybody is busy, working with different upcoming events. I was given fieldwork which in turn made me enjoy my duties.

I was able to experience to work outside of my desk and that freezing room and discover new things about the company by going to the main production site. I was in place at the production team and help my boss in conceptualizing the materials needed in the upcoming event of Diesel which will be held at Embassy, The Fort. We come up with different effective concept that the client will surely like. Now, I feel the normal working situation, using the actual tools, equipment, documents or materials in my training. Ms. Mandy briefly explained to me what the task is and when and why it is must be performed. At first, I thought it was easy to organize an event, but in able for me to be successful, I need to be creative and to create an extraordinary thinking just to perform the task given to me. We tackle the event of Diesel, and I’m the one who make contact with companies which offers the materials that is useful for the event. We also discussed the events concept, theme, models, place, agenda, strategies etc. Because of this experienced I’ve learned how to create effective concepts and to manage an event.

I’ve also educated a lot when Ms. Mandy required me to attend the meeting of Monaco film Festival. This is my first time to attend a formal meeting where everybody is professionals. They negotiate to other companies supervisors in operating the event. The Monaco Charity Film Festival is a venue that brings worldwide attention to new, emerging filmmakers as well as raising money to help impoverished and abandoned children around the world. This dual-focus event transcends the Cannes Film Festival in its humanitarian efforts and scope, and provides a wide variety of film workshops to gifted men and women from around the globe. The Monaco Charity Film Festival is a yearly CHARITY event organized to raise money for some selected charities involved in taking care of children. My head decided to put me in her production team and to help her in this event. I was there to make a written record of all of the things that they’ve discuss, the set up, budget, concept, objectives and the agreements of this approaching events. I was the one who arrange the equipments needed in this meeting and it start in a power point presentation and historical background of Saga and also the events that they handled successfully which attracts the client. I am now aware on how to deal with clients and to formulate effective strategies in order to get the target customers.

No one is completely trained; we are constantly learning new techniques every time we work on a project. As I complete my 100 hours, I appreciate myself and my workplace more. I’ve develop my skills to work with others, and to work independently especially when it’s under pressure. OJT is an active process, and I’m glad because my supervisor is aware of my needs and motivates me to learn.

radio tour

Radio Tour DZXL 558 KHZ

I’m so excited to know more about radio. I and some of my blockmates went last Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at Guadalupe Station for a radio tour at DZXL 558. I was early so I decided to walk around the place by myself. One area which caught my attention is the number of people waiting in the Public Service Center. I interviewed some of the officers in charge in that place and they tell me something about the Action Center. People consult and seek advices in any problems that they encountered. In our society nowadays, people tend to ask help to the media rather than the police or our government. They wanted a past solution to their problem and the only way or option that they see is through radio station. They believe that when a problem was announced to the public, the person who’s responsible for the problem will make a quick action for them to clean their names and solve or clarify the issue. I’m glad that this area gave a free of charge consultation on blood pressure which helps its listeners or supporter of the station to monitor their health status. I realized the importance of AM station and their public service to its listeners. Recording room, master control, news room incoming, public service center, action center, Production assistant area, these are some of the part of the radio station that we saw. We enjoyed this radio tour; I just hope that this kind of activity will continue for the benefit of Mass Communication Students. Our Professor, Sir Salvador Oberas gave us a tour and let us explore his working area. He explained to us the functions of each department and discussed its responsibility for the outcome of a good radio program. I was so impressed when my Prof Buddy Oberas and Amelyn Veloso were on board; their voice is captivating and they pronounced the news clearly. They also used strategies so that their listeners will not to get bored. In related to my future profession, I’m glad because I already have a background on how this kind of work is functioning. I understand their company’s procedure and how a radio station works and divide their task for each department.

synthesis paper Comm100

Violations of media ethics, media affects, reflects, and creates culture, the interview with Ad Agency are the best topics that I have learned in Comm100. For me the discussion of ethical violations in mass media is one of the best topics that Mr. Joeven has discussed to us. Because of this lesson, I have learned that we, as students should be aware of media ethics for the welfare of everyone. As a Mass Comm. Major were in the business of reporting, most of us believe that the public should know what's going on and in the future, when I already become a successful broadcaster, I should do my best to bring audiences as honest, accurate, and complete account of the days event as possible. Media affects, reflects, and creates culture is also the best lesson that I have learned in Comm100. Mr. Joeven discussed the difference between the three and I enjoyed this topic so much. It is so interesting and helped me to realize that media such as television, newspapers, and radio various means of mass communication thought of as a whole, together with the people involved in their production, plays a major role in our culture. Because of the technological developments the media can now reflect, affect and creates culture. Comm100 has improved my perspective as Mass Communication Major. Because of this subject, I have learned so many things that I can apply in my future career. Like for example in the topic violations of media ethics, I am now aware of what are the dos and don’ts of media practitioner. It guides us in the right way to know more about media. As future media practitioners, having this interview with our chosen topic the advertising agency really helps us to know more something about this business. This topic is related to our course and we learned important things that we can use in our future job opportunities. The historical background (when, where and how it is started) the works of the market communicators agency that was successfully accomplished, the works that they are planning to do, the major goals/mission vision of their company, the current trends/ improvements in the practice of their profession, also the current problems and issue of the ad agency and the most important the advices that they give to us are the scope of the interview. This interview serves us our inspiration in pursuing our courses and doing our best in everything that we do to achieve everything that we wanted. It also tackles about creativity or imaginative ability: the ability to use the imagination to develop new and original ideas or things, especially in an artistic context. We learned how to work as a team; it enhanced our self confidence and our creativity in making a presentation that we can apply in our future job. We realized that nothing is impossible if you really like, love and enjoy what you are doing.