PRSA Issues and Trends Offers Insight in the Media Habits of Women

PRSA Issues and Trends is a news monitoring service reporting on industry trends, advocacy and other issues impacting the profession and the professional. Each edition of PR Issues and Trends provides links to the news you need in order to keep up with the public relations and corporate communications fields. 

You're wondering why I mention PRSA Issues and Trends? Read as the story unfolds. 

I receive PRSA Issues and Trends weekly via e-mail, which provides excellent information and studies in the field. However, this week's issue of PRSA Issues and Trends sparked my interest for several reasons.  There's an article titled "Real Simple Offers Insights into Women's Media Habits." The article argues that age demographics doesn't necessarily matter when it comes to the media usage of women, the New York firm Insight Research conducted the study.

The study found the "cautious, low-risk women," spend 53 percent of their media usage watching TV, 19 percent with magazines and 13 percent online. However, the "highly motivated, action-oriented women," spend 61 percent of their media time online and the rest is split between TV and magazines. 

Interesting, if you're wanting to use a specific media vehicle for your PR campaign, Grassroots effort or reposition a product to target women in a heavily dominated male market. 

This article changed the way I view the so-called traditional media as an ineffective way to communicate, i.e., magazines. 

For my Integrated Marketing Communications Plan, our group is suppose to reposition a product other than the most dominate market in the product category. Our group chose to reposition Bud Light to target women. Studies have shown the beer market is continuing to grow among women, especially women ages 21-30. 

As part of the plan, we must develop a "creative strategy" to reach our target market. Every other group in the class is developing a commercial as part of their project. However, our group opted not to do the latter. On the other hand, the article from PRSA Trends and Issues assist our group in explaining why a commercial isn't the most effective way to target our specific demographic. 

In all, PRSA Issues and Trends is a great source and can assist any student working on a PR project or PR professional in the field today. This information could, in my opinion, decrease the costs of specific media depending on the campaign. 

To view the article, visit http://www.mediaweek.com and in the search bar type "Real Simple Offers Insights into Women's Media Habits." Also, visit http://prsa.org/publications/ to subscribe to PRSA Issues and Trends. 

Until next time, 

GPaul 

Twitter Helps Confront Rumors in Stillwater

The evolution of Twitter is phenomenal. Friends, faculty, staff and family have jumped on the bandwagon of social media and it continues to grow. If the founders continue to think strategically, Twitter will soon be better than Facebook. Yes, I said it. 

I've mentioned Twitter in several of my posts, but I didn't come to grasp with the importance of Twitter until last Thursday, the day before OSU alumni, faculty, staff and students would  partake in the No. 1 Homecoming in the nation, "America's Greatest Homecoming: generation COWBOY!"

Rumors started to circulation among the OSU community that the construction on Sixth and Monroe wouldn't be completed before the Homecoming weekend. The completion of the construction was essential to a successful Homecoming, in my opinion. The revenue gained during Homecoming weekend surpasses all other home game days in Stillwater. 

The incomplete construction would have effected walkarounds and "The Strip." 

I learned about this construction issue via Twitter from Sam Sims, OSU alumnus and Jones PR senior account executive. Then a friend of mine and PR major, Jamie Mitcham, jumped into Sam's and I Twitter discussion, which somehow became a newsroom within a matter of seconds. 

I decided to get to bottom of this rumor and find out the truth behind the construction on Sixth and Monroe. This is where having a great relationship with news editors as a future PR practitioner is key to a successful PR career. I called the Editor in Chief, Jaclyn Cosgrove, of the Daily O'Collegian to get to bottom of the rumor. Jaclyn informed me that Sixth and Monroe would be open in time for Homecoming weekend and the story about the construction was going to be on the front page of the Daily O'Collegian and the Stillwater NewsPress the following day. 

In a matter of minutes, I informed both Sam and Jamie of the great news, which was disseminated throughout Twitter and Facebook. Ironically, both Jamie and I started to receive Facebook messages asking us updates on what was going on with the construction. 

The morale of the story is not only how power social media is becoming, especially Twitter, but also the importance of maintaining a credible relationship with newspapers in solving problems and minimizing the impact of rumors. 

If you do not have Twitter, get it now! It's absolute free. Visit http://www.twitter.com. My twitter is g_paul. Follow me. 

Until next time, 

GPaul 

"America's Greatest Homecoming Celebration" Marks 100 Years of Journalism Classes at OSU

The OSU Alumni Association presents Homecoming 2008 "Generation Cowboy." As alumni from across the U.S. prepare to come home to their alma mater to celebrate the No. 1 Homecoming in the nation, the week of Homecoming and the cultural climate of Stillwater is what makes OSU's Homecoming magically. 

A tradition, which first begin in 1920, has never been bigger than this year as we celebrate 50 years of America's Greatest Mascot - Pistol Pete. 

Homecoming kicks off with the Residential Life Hoedown Competition Monday night. Other events include: The Harvest Carnival and Chili Cook-off, Hester Street Painting, Orange Reflection, Walk Arounds, Homecoming and Hoops, and the finale as the OSU Cowboys take on the Baylor Bears. 

Not only is this my last Homecoming as an undergraduate at OSU, but also I'm one of the top five male candidates for Homecoming Royalty. Homecoming Royalty is an alumni award presented to the top male and female of the OSU graduating class. The winner will serve as an ambassador for OSU and the OSU Alumni Association. It's such an honor to make it this far. Wish me luck. 

This year's Homecoming also marks 100 years of the Paul Miller School of Journalism and Broadcasting Classes at OSU. The first journalism class taught at OSU was Agriculture Communications. As I reflect on my college career as a journalism student at OSU, I realized how significant the media is in an ever-changing society. From the printing press to the radio, press agentry to news anchors, advertising to social media. 

OSU's journalism program, in my opinion, is the best in the nation. I would like to thank the alumni, faculty and staff who has helped build an amazing reputation in the journalism field. 

To celebrate not only the No. 1 Homecoming in the nation, but also the 100th year of journalism classes at OSU, the Paul Miller School of Journalism and Broadcasting will be hosting an event for fellow alumni, faculty and staff two hours prior to kick-off on the lawn of the Paul Miller School of Journalism and Broadcasting. 

The event will be Saturday, Oct. 18 from noon-2 p.m. on the lawn of the Paul Miller School of Journalism and Broadcasting. Refreshments will be provided. 

If you're an alumni, faculty or staff member reading my blog, please make sure to RSVP to Melissa Powers or call 405.744.6354. Please include your name and the number of guest whom you'll be bringing. 

Until next time, 

GPaul 

A Simple Event Leads to a Networking Opportunity

On Saturday, Oct. 4, myself and two other Journalism and Broadcasting Ambassadors worked a recruiting event called "The OSU Experience." This event is design to showcase all of the colleges and departments at Oklahoma State University to prospective students and parents. 

Several prospective students were interested in journalism and broadcasting, which oddly enough a majority of the students whom we spoke with were from Texas and not Oklahoma. Though there were a few Oklahoma natives who stopped by our table to hear the countless opportunities about the School of Journalism and Broadcasting, especially our new sports media degree option. But native Texans ruled the showcase. 

While speaking with a prospective student and her parents for about 10 minutes, we soon realized we were from the same city and I attended the high school of a prospective student's mother, Trinity High School. 

The prospective student's father later asked me what my major was and what I plan to do, which I answered. Two seconds later he pulls out his business card and it reads "Jeff K..... Musical Director/Game Host of the Dallas Stars Hockey Team." I was in awe. Seriously. 

But it gets better. 

He flips over the card and gives me the direct contact information for the director of communications for the Dallas Stars and told me to contact him and say "Jeff referred me to you." 

This experience goes to show the power of networking and not knowing who could possibly give you the break you've been wanting. Never in a million years would I have guessed working a recruiting event on a game day, that I would run into someone who worked for the Dallas Stars. 

My advice to future public relations professionals, including myself, is to speak with everyone you come into contact with at networking or recruiting functions because you never who that person might know. 

As the old saying goes, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." 

Until next time, 

GPaul 

Updates from Previous Post/GPaul Wins By a Margin

The verdict is in and my personal brand name is, drum roll please............................ GPaul. 

GPaul is easy to say, easy to remember and easy to type and it's catchy, which is also an important trait in a personal brand, according to Bonnie Ann Cain, OSU Library Communications. 

I couldn't agree with you more Bonnie. Even family members and friends love the sound of GPaul. Regardless, if my name is unique in the social media world "GPaul" sounds unique. 

Quick update on the life of GPaul: 

My client issue is resolved after not only speaking with professor, Bill Handy, but also my client and realizing we can accomplish the goals and objectives of the client through multiple means of communication without being sold on a specific tactic. For more background information, check out the post "Sold on a Tactic When Research Shows Otherwise." 

Regarding my senior thesis, research is well underway and is almost complete. I will meet with professor, Gina Nobel, to finalize our action plan when contacting fellow PRSA members nationwide. 

My resume is updated and ready for revisions. I'll be contacting many of my fellow blog readers to offer suggestions. 

Also, VisualCV is having a "best of the best" VisualCV for students. I plan on entering my VisualCV within the next two weeks. I was contacted by the account executive, Katrina, about the "best of the best" student section for VisualCV. She thought I would be a great source and a great way for professionals to view my VisualCV in the field of public relations. Understanding the value of mutually beneficial relationships is key. Gotta Love It!

Until next time, 

GPaul 

Branding Your Name to Market Yourself

Last week, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) - OSU Chapter, hosted a social media interactive workshop with PR pro and social media advocate, Sam Sims. Sam discussed the power of social media and the different social media Web sites such as Twitter, my personal favorite, Wordpress and Facebook. 

Sam not only showed us a virtual tour of his Twitter account, but also mentioned other ways to find his blog, Facebook and etc. Sam mentioned that his name is his brand, which everyone in the social media world, knows Sam as "samsims." 

This made me stop and think, how can I brand my name so it can be not only marketable but also recognizable? 

I've brainstormed multiple names, for those of you who follow me on Twitter I've changed my name about twenty times now; however, it's difficult to develop a name because I have two first names. 

It's not uncommon for someone to mistake my last name as my first name and my first name as my last name, which I politely say, "My name is Germaine, not Paul." It happens. When I first started school, my kindergarten teacher, Ms. Andrews, called me by my last name for about a week. Yes, I have a great memory. 

All of last week, I've been thinking about a name. The one that rings a bell is "GPaul," the name was created by the former Daily O'Collegian editor in chief, Jenny Redden.  I like it a lot. However, it still adds to the confusion of Paul being my first name. 

Then, I thought, "GP," initials are OK, but I do not think it's a good marketing tool for me. 

Or I could simply go by "GermaineP." 

I know this may sound ridiculous, but this is very important. Everyone brands their name. I want people to be able to recognize me in the social media world. 

So my question to all of my blog readers, what do you think my brand name should be? I'm conducting a poll. 

Until next time, 

GPaul, which might be subject to change depending on the response I receive from you all. 

Sold on a Tactic When Research Shows Otherwise

"Understanding the difference among goals, objectives and tactics is important to your successful as a public relations practitioner," said OSU public relations professor, Bill Handy. 

Now, I understand why. 

Bill mentioned most public relations practitioners want to jump right into tactics instead of establishing goals and objectives, which we're all guilty of committing (it's not a crime, but it can effect the outcome of your campaign). 

As the account team leader for our capstone course within the public relations sequence, Research and Campaigns, we have a client who has a need and our job is to establish the goals, objectives and tactics for our client as well as how to implement the campaign to achieve the client's goals and objectives. Easy enough right? 

Our client would like to reduce the number of Frequently Asked Questions and raise awareness about their Web site, which the answers to the FAQ's will be answered. Also, leading to less one-on-one encounters with students. 

Our team has completed the research, which shows that the Web site isn't the most effective way to communicate to current students. However, our research shows one-on-one encounters with students who are highly trained in the requirements for their specific program would be the most beneficial, especially among prospective students. 

Our client does not want an ambassador program. They WANT THE WEB SITE! Research shows that no one visits the Web site or believes it's beneficial. They're sold on the tactic, which is frustrating. 

Students rather receive their information via e-mail, listserv and from current students with experience in the requirements for their program. Hence, having the Web site as a supplement to all of the latter would make sense, but our client doesn't understand the concept and is very reluctant to the idea. 

So what does our team do? Do we continue to do what the client wants even though in the future it will not solve their problem? Or do we go against our client and do what the research proves and they can decide whether to implement the campaign or not? 

Such a real-world situation. 

Advice would be appreciated. I will keep everyone posted on how the situation turns out. 

Until next time, 

GPaul