tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89418325260076200612024-02-19T10:52:33.310-08:00#pluggedin gal#pluggedin galhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718796848271858924noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941832526007620061.post-75438215376470214162013-03-16T13:07:00.000-07:002013-03-18T15:37:07.907-07:005 tips to land your PR dream job<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -14.2pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-fareast-font-family: Corbel;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Always be curious</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZNNGseBGxopwOc3ZGK-FzAeMQWySDAXrJKiGk-U97goc9HtlYjAV9ee4i-cImwIOtIXcWZTzdg0Bkp_4yKQEaRrzfKnklmxGBg4g34mgtIxziOUK3BtS2iS8In5fdojG3CFJCD5wqJe3/s1600/woman2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZNNGseBGxopwOc3ZGK-FzAeMQWySDAXrJKiGk-U97goc9HtlYjAV9ee4i-cImwIOtIXcWZTzdg0Bkp_4yKQEaRrzfKnklmxGBg4g34mgtIxziOUK3BtS2iS8In5fdojG3CFJCD5wqJe3/s1600/woman2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Credit: <a href="http://m.inmagine.com/image-culs087196-Business-woman-reading-news-paper-in-cab.html">m.inmagine.com</a></span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Learning doesn’t stop once you
obtain your university degree. If you expect to become a successful public
relations professional, you must remember to never stop learning. Yes, I know,
you just finished studying like a crazy person for several months, and if you
could never read a book EVER again, you would.</span>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To ensure you stay ahead of the
game, you should attend conferences, webinars, networking events and read up on
PR blogs and websites. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I especially recommend <a href="http://www.prdaily.com/" target="_blank">PR Daily</a>
because they offer insightful articles about writing, media relations, crisis
management and the latest news in the public relations industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I particularly appreciated their article entitled, "<a href="http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/13983.aspx#" target="_blank">4 skills PR newbies should possess (if they want a job)</a>".</span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Network, network, network</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m sure you’ve heard the popular
saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. Well, I don’t completely
agree with that statement as I believe being knowledgeable is a valuable trait. That being said, building relationships with people in the public relations community is primordial. After all, you are in this business to ‘build relationships’,
aren’t you? I encourage you to check out associations' websites such as the <a href="http://cprs.mb.ca/news-events/events/" target="_blank">Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS)</a> and the<a href="http://manitoba.iabc.com/events/http://manitoba.iabc.com/events/" target="_blank"> International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)</a> as they regularly host networking events in your area. </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Volunteer</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Non-profit organizations are always looking
for volunteers with specialized skills. As they often lack monetary resources
to support their public relations efforts, they would be thrilled to have a
public relations student help them with their communication needs. This may not
be your first choice because you won’t get paid for your contributions but it’s
an excellent way to gain valuable work experience</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh85wnOIvVH7jYvtSCPcc_NIEAj26-0ulhB7HmsJkHr6OivPxYaehFeh63QZbzSZYH46C6bNqcBKknnSp7m2uDejAdA1PNsDG8lUjlqVU6kYaXcMhvrPyNtNe3kVfPpTaaskC44rfp3Wxs/s1600/volunteers-needed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh85wnOIvVH7jYvtSCPcc_NIEAj26-0ulhB7HmsJkHr6OivPxYaehFeh63QZbzSZYH46C6bNqcBKknnSp7m2uDejAdA1PNsDG8lUjlqVU6kYaXcMhvrPyNtNe3kVfPpTaaskC44rfp3Wxs/s320/volunteers-needed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: sobcdelta.org</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Write, write, write and then, write some more</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Practice makes perfect. A blog is a
great way to hone your writing skills and the more you post, the more potential
writing samples you can accumulate. Oftentimes, the IABC is looking for volunteer writes for their blogs, websites and social
media sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">is an excellent way to gain valuable writing experience.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be proactive during your job search</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Research organizations that you admire
and that you could support through public relations efforts. An organization
that you can support is one that would benefit from your expertise and if you
can display that you know something about them, and that you’re ready to help
them, you may get yourself a job. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You should also approach individuals
within this company even if they don’t have a job posting. This notion is
related to the importance of networking, and it’s never too early to start. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Remember: Stay</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> #plugged into current events to become a successful public relations professional. After all, knowledge is power.</span></div>
#pluggedin galhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718796848271858924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941832526007620061.post-5690980283746645102013-03-14T13:49:00.002-07:002013-11-05T09:12:53.114-08:00Why I quit my job to pursue a career in public relations<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFMTLO9Lt7mAr_HBLpp2hcmchmcmmJtQVXr6S7q9-TgxIJWOI_fzR72RHcfUAGHmm7ZWWFoDeXsH0sBPYKx9KsuKyNXz5hS-aYXQRdwqL3On6fkRIOrPbJnhCYR4nXiiVbQy5eNg6DGOd/s1600/samanthajones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFMTLO9Lt7mAr_HBLpp2hcmchmcmmJtQVXr6S7q9-TgxIJWOI_fzR72RHcfUAGHmm7ZWWFoDeXsH0sBPYKx9KsuKyNXz5hS-aYXQRdwqL3On6fkRIOrPbJnhCYR4nXiiVbQy5eNg6DGOd/s400/samanthajones.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Credit: <a href="http://www.inspiredbythis.com/tag/samantha-jones/">www.inspiredbythis.com</a></span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />The first thing that comes to my mind when someone
talks about Public Relations is an image of Samantha Jones from Sex and the
City wearing a fashionable suit in her corner office. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Now, I know that Samantha Jones is not a typical
publicist. Nonetheless, I find her amusing, but this is certainly not why I
chose to pursue a career in public relations.</span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">My educational background is a Bachelor in Commerce,
majoring in Marketing and International Business. With my degree, I started
working in a marketing department for a financial services company. </span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The first year was great, but I quickly realized that
it wasn’t a job I could do everyday. It wasn’t challenging to me, it didn’t
make me feel useful, and I certainly wasn’t passionate about the work I did. </span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I felt that my purpose was to ‘make things work’ for
our financial consultants’ marketing materials. My feedback wasn’t valued and I
didn’t feel that I was contributing to society as a whole. My heart wasn’t in
it, and I knew I had to quit.</span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">For many months before I resigned, I searched for
another job, and it seemed that everything that interested me was related to
communications. I was familiar with the Creative Communications
program at the Red River College as I’ve had friends graduate from this
program, but it didn’t seem right for me. I would have to sacrifice two years
of my life, and I wasn’t ready to commit this much time, especially because I
knew I wanted to uniquely pursue Public Relations.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">During a lunch outing at <a href="http://www.stellascafe.com/">Stella’s at the Plug In</a> center, I
noticed a <a href="http://pace.uwinnipegcourses.ca/sites/default/files/pdfs/fact_sheets/PRDP%20-%20PT.pdf" target="_blank">Public Relations Diploma Program </a>flyer on my way to the washroom in the University of Winnipeg's Buhler centre.
I read the program outline, and all the courses piqued my interest. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Perfect! I was so excited to have found this flyer and
as a popular saying goes: Everything happens for a reason.</span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Needless to say, I am currently a Public Relations
student at the University of Winnipeg. I’ve come to realize that I am extremely
passionate about public relations and I am eager to begin my career as a public
relations professional. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Why do I like public relations so much? Good question, here are a few reasons:</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6DqxflZjerDGGleCd-dYtxJbU2Uwp0BqlzlC4inQzVEDkOR98k7CP0PTthyphenhyphenuZk50wsgjNoVV8Gp_rfVromIspz5beaxPk8KeKckR2Ap882WC8COvJ6EGQBq8ilROkc5fxt-EVAdZa_dr/s1600/lovepr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6DqxflZjerDGGleCd-dYtxJbU2Uwp0BqlzlC4inQzVEDkOR98k7CP0PTthyphenhyphenuZk50wsgjNoVV8Gp_rfVromIspz5beaxPk8KeKckR2Ap882WC8COvJ6EGQBq8ilROkc5fxt-EVAdZa_dr/s320/lovepr.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: constantcontact.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">1. I adore building relationships with others and
helping people get their message out<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">2. Most
people hate this part, but I LOVE researching. I love finding the small
details others wouldn’t think are relevant.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /> </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">3. I would rather find new ways to
communicate with people then market products/services to them.</span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />4. Being creative, being organized, being timely and
being committed are all qualities that I possess and that are important in public relations. </span>
<span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /><br />5. Public
Relations is an ever-evolving field and I adore learning new things on a
daily basis. Did I mention I religiously read <a href="http://www.prdaily.com/" target="_blank">PR Daily</a>?</span><br />
<ul><ul>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Public relations isn’t for everyone, but if you’re
passionate about communications, building relationships and telling great
stories to others, you may have found your calling.</span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">#pluggedingal #PRrocks #UofWPR</span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<!--EndFragment-->#pluggedin galhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718796848271858924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941832526007620061.post-45032002311503473432013-03-14T10:03:00.000-07:002013-11-05T09:11:24.982-08:00Discovering Winnipeg food, wine and more<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As a former waitress and
self-proclaimed foodie, I consider myself to be #plugged into the Winnipeg
restaurant scene. I frequent hip and new restaurants whenever I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite frankly, I would rather spend my
hard-earned cash by enjoying a romantic evening with my lover or a fun night
with my girlfriends at a restaurant than at a hockey game, for example. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I should also mention that
it helps that my boyfriend’s family invites me to their Friday night restaurant
outings. How could you decline a chance to enjoy good company and good
food?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I can’t and I don’t
which has contributed to my deep appreciation for divine restaurant food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Gastronomy is the art of
food eating. I LOVE discovering new foods, new wines, new food eating rituals
and I must admit, I am quite envious of food bloggers and food critics who are
paid to devour delicious foods, wines and more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Out of all the global
cuisines, I would deem the Spanish cuisine to be my favorite. I first developed
my appreciation for tapas during a trip with my boyfriend to Barcelona. We
randomly stumbled upon a tapas restaurant, they had a seat at the bar, and this
is where the magic began. We got to taste a variety of foods, bacon wrapped
dates, seafood, olives, etc. It was delightful.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziKzCV6EdISKURiIZwN5djfWAzCA_ynit6gPiZqDAe_SbfnCZZjatehUF_CV8IRJMxXoHa-QVtPdaaVRf3mgdE_J-AUrVcy2hHnMTGmjZXyyfYUKP-7_Hb2O4yTs6nk6hnx0WAV_jt6PR/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziKzCV6EdISKURiIZwN5djfWAzCA_ynit6gPiZqDAe_SbfnCZZjatehUF_CV8IRJMxXoHa-QVtPdaaVRf3mgdE_J-AUrVcy2hHnMTGmjZXyyfYUKP-7_Hb2O4yTs6nk6hnx0WAV_jt6PR/s320/IMG_2329.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobMUt0qA-LQczV7OZb3ce_zmCShi2SjL90f3wQbIghy0-1k2tt49OSfc5ISW4kH2Vv7rp6VUK7IcWe3yWFZbzLAVN1m6d0g7dPECTdTsu-SDHaMotfM6ByP4DHQn3kRSDR_p6pZiPYaVO/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobMUt0qA-LQczV7OZb3ce_zmCShi2SjL90f3wQbIghy0-1k2tt49OSfc5ISW4kH2Vv7rp6VUK7IcWe3yWFZbzLAVN1m6d0g7dPECTdTsu-SDHaMotfM6ByP4DHQn3kRSDR_p6pZiPYaVO/s200/IMG_2334.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When we returned to
Winnipeg, we discovered Segovia Tapas Bar and Restaurant. They opened their doors on
Stradbrook avenue in November 2009 and they were recently ranked as being of one of
<a href="http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/09/27/50-best-restaurants-in-canada/" target="_blank">Canada’s Top 50 restaurants</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I absolutely agree with these critics and I would even state that <a href="http://segoviatapasbar.com/" target="_blank">Segovia Tapas Bar and Restaurant</a> is the BEST restaurant in Winnipeg. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p>I am not an expert foodie, but I’ve been to tapas restaurants in
Winnipeg, Montréal and Minneapolis and not one of them can compete with
Segovia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSrrYcvSNBn3wBMZ26Afv8OUuuq3H-Sj2spADdZBZD7hrqNEuEv_S5EgT6j2XIH2ZTGQJ4yH96ns4rsWoCQsTxU-g6XErKpyxJ1ToFxBbEsCGW41qVjByXBzA-ILXXpHRAOg_3B3cx0Dk/s1600/segovia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSrrYcvSNBn3wBMZ26Afv8OUuuq3H-Sj2spADdZBZD7hrqNEuEv_S5EgT6j2XIH2ZTGQJ4yH96ns4rsWoCQsTxU-g6XErKpyxJ1ToFxBbEsCGW41qVjByXBzA-ILXXpHRAOg_3B3cx0Dk/s400/segovia1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Credit: <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/rph/332/1496101/171185/winnipeg-segovia-tapas-bar-and-restaurant-segovia-tapas-bar-and-restaurant-photo?page=3">Urbanspoon</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/rph/332/1496101/171185/winnipeg-segovia-tapas-bar-and-restaurant-segovia-tapas-bar-and-restaurant-photo?page=3"></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I also cherish my visits to Segovia because of its relaxing ambiance.
When I go with my boyfriend, we always enjoy discussing what we liked and
didn’t like about each dish by rating them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often agree, but sometimes our ratings are completely
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Some of the best tapas at Segovia, I would say are: the patatas bravas,
the bison tartare, the scallops with cauliflower purée and I couldn’t end this
list without mentioning the smoked duck risotto. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My last visit was in December 2012 and I’m already planning my
tapas line-up for my next visit. Here’s a few dishes I would love to try at
Segovia:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrbOQyigH96YhXY0n_p3BHNqJfCim8iQJra548J6xN0Dc0XPsDQ2aiYqoLglO-_6JyTx4J85c499qIMfJv96q35MNl_zfGEoJiPKEV_ymdtsPcrvcOCzOnUW9IILoN7yMYXz1dP8rRar9/s1600/segovia3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrbOQyigH96YhXY0n_p3BHNqJfCim8iQJra548J6xN0Dc0XPsDQ2aiYqoLglO-_6JyTx4J85c499qIMfJv96q35MNl_zfGEoJiPKEV_ymdtsPcrvcOCzOnUW9IILoN7yMYXz1dP8rRar9/s200/segovia3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Credit : <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151372967448280&set=pb.87112783279.-2207520000.1363567173&type=3&theater">Segovia
Tapas Bar and Restaurant</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1. Baharat Spiced Oxtail, Flatbread, Maple Tzatziki, Kale<o:p></o:p></span>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2. Arctic Char a La Plancha, Bacon, Creamed Leeks, Romesco Sauce<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">3. Seared Scallops, Sun Choke Puree, Pickled Apples, Foie Gras Torchon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">4. Confit Rabbit, Savoy Cabbage, Fine Herbs, Mustard Seed Labneh<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Just thinking about these dishes is making me drool. I feel like Homer
when he dreams of eating mountains of donuts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One word: Delicioso<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If you still haven’t tried Segovia, you must put it on your bucket list. You will not regret it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Segovia, you are my one true restaurant love and I will miss you dearly
when I move to Montréal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">#pluggedingal #gastronomyrocks #segoviaesmuydelicioso</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->#pluggedin galhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718796848271858924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941832526007620061.post-88006199330915029972013-03-14T09:47:00.003-07:002017-04-12T12:41:09.910-07:00A prairie girl’s journey to Montréal<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was a late Friday afternoon and I was picking up tomato sauce at a local
supermarket before heading to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I was waiting in line to pay, I picked up a phone call from my boyfriend.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhEkCMP9JZdyOEjQMMepNNyLv3WwxDjEFVorS6-YJOioCoXGT4jKIfxDbCMdljVY6f_8hCLL6qw30hutadCbih1xKhN73Xmfqp1WS6IpSJIpieLUeABTuErbV-soYd7yD8iozH17_a-7L/s1600/McGill_arts_bldg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhEkCMP9JZdyOEjQMMepNNyLv3WwxDjEFVorS6-YJOioCoXGT4jKIfxDbCMdljVY6f_8hCLL6qw30hutadCbih1xKhN73Xmfqp1WS6IpSJIpieLUeABTuErbV-soYd7yD8iozH17_a-7L/s200/McGill_arts_bldg2.jpg" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: webpages.mcgill.ca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He just received an email from the Faculty of Law at McGill University.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My heart stopped because I could hear hesitation and excitement in his voice
but I couldn’t figure out if he received good or bad news…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">GOOD NEWS! He was accepted into the Faculty of Law at McGill
University!!! <o:p></o:p>I’m extremely proud of him, I knew he was a smart cookie when I first
met him.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> I also happen to LOVE Montréal. It’s a charming and multicultural city that is
home to a plethora of unique restaurants, an eclectic art scene and a hub for
PR jobs (just what I’m looking for!) <o:p></o:p> I’ve also travelled to Montréal numerous times, as it is my boyfriend’s
hometown. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Happiness, nervousness and fear are the best way I can describe how I
felt at that exact moment. I can't believe I am actually moving to Montréal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vC95Gg_LKPs6JySGUfcOY7oMarsuWP6NFgDjcwCOHZcd8w-o_zbL3ZWfI-jTttj_EPtDFYB56aXOTVBHCNd3_qu8K1WQ1FQEcSofdCUr3k1hpCHXVQMS62qhwNemYuEfSe3idBgNGtc9/s1600/montreal.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vC95Gg_LKPs6JySGUfcOY7oMarsuWP6NFgDjcwCOHZcd8w-o_zbL3ZWfI-jTttj_EPtDFYB56aXOTVBHCNd3_qu8K1WQ1FQEcSofdCUr3k1hpCHXVQMS62qhwNemYuEfSe3idBgNGtc9/s400/montreal.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: popmontreal.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When I announced my ‘good news’ to my parents, my mom wasn’t exactly
jumping for joy. In fact, she was worried, nervous and sad. I don’t blame her,
it’s never easy to see your child move to another city even if it’s just two
and a half hours away by plane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And then, the perfect idea came to her mind. She was convinced that I
should work at Air Canada. “Their headquarters are in Montréal and I’m sure
they have a public relations department”, she says. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I tried not to laugh because I knew she wasn’t being completely truthful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Do you want me to work at <a href="http://www.aircanada.ca/" target="_blank">Air Canada</a> so you can get discounted flights
to Montréal?”, I quickly responded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She started laughing hysterically yet tried to deny this is why she thought Air
Canada would be a great fit for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These are the types of conversations I will miss. I will evidently continue to converse with my family and friends through
Skype, but it won’t be the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’d be lying if I said I’m happy to be leaving Winnipeg. I’m not. I will
always keep a special place in my heart for Winnipeg; after all, my friends and
family are Winnipeggers. <o:p></o:p>To name a few, here are some landmarks that I will always cherish:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1. Wellington Crescent (It’s a lovely place for walkers, joggers and
runners)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2. Segovia Tapas Bar and Restaurant (I’ve ate some of my best meals here)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">3. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Boniface,_Winnipeg" target="_blank">St. Boniface neighbourhood</a> (I was raised in this quaint
neighbourhood)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">4. Albert beach (I’ve enjoyed many summers at this beach with friends
and family)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">5. <a href="http://www.ustboniface.mb.ca/" target="_blank">Université de Saint-Boniface</a> (This is where I met my boyfriend)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gIKB5_QZFmd-BmBxXZZEAEoB4gNTYj0AalzXN-Tc4zS_bKWprljuv9MEQLBunFAklfUjdn-i7MuJ-Sm7NAAVPcSOfS6UMiF0El8s6NHSvaggA1r8PDptGE9F7ED4BrCQFmf2rCPR_lBI/s1600/winnipeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gIKB5_QZFmd-BmBxXZZEAEoB4gNTYj0AalzXN-Tc4zS_bKWprljuv9MEQLBunFAklfUjdn-i7MuJ-Sm7NAAVPcSOfS6UMiF0El8s6NHSvaggA1r8PDptGE9F7ED4BrCQFmf2rCPR_lBI/s640/winnipeg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: www.entreprisesriel.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Needless to say, I am thrilled about moving to Montréal but Winnipeg
will always be my home and my first love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "corbel"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">#Winnipeg #Montréal #LoveCanada<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->#pluggedin galhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718796848271858924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941832526007620061.post-79733941395780463592012-12-03T15:10:00.000-08:002012-12-04T09:09:41.642-08:00Strategic PR Plan - Art in the Exchange<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Below you will find my Strategic
PR Plan for three art galleries located in the heart of the Exchange District
of Winnipeg, Manitoba.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/115475755/Strategic-PR-Plan" target="_blank">Art in the Exchange</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
#pluggedin galhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718796848271858924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941832526007620061.post-19837409709906701792012-11-19T10:54:00.000-08:002012-11-22T20:38:55.090-08:00Hello Canada! Expect More. Pay Less. Is that eh ok?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcD4URZ6kf5_9bmOElEkMSS68oNfE_vZdq3YKQUkXoF0PpE2DgjgfJUP-pq79e6NxH4Lyz4wfvxJJPPobRpFQdGCXWrfW5Xoa1ZfMwGZ4o3dq34VuIHFhwtdinNDzC5fWAv1bBms49Vom/s1600/reddot-500x374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcD4URZ6kf5_9bmOElEkMSS68oNfE_vZdq3YKQUkXoF0PpE2DgjgfJUP-pq79e6NxH4Lyz4wfvxJJPPobRpFQdGCXWrfW5Xoa1ZfMwGZ4o3dq34VuIHFhwtdinNDzC5fWAv1bBms49Vom/s400/reddot-500x374.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Candara; font-size: small;"><a href="http://smartcanucks.ca/target-canada-website/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">smartcanucks.ca</span></span></a></span></td><!--EndFragment--></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--StartFragment--><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Target Canada will face stiff competition when it arrives in 2013. I believe that Target can convince Canadian consumers to chose them over the other guy if they position themselves correctly. That being said, how can Target accomplish this? Most importantly, can Canadians truly embrace Target as THE new upscale discounter in their fine country?</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Similarly to the U.S., Target caters to women. This target audience is characterized as </span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;">having significant purchasing power, they exercise great influence as opinion leaders and are "multi-minded". As the Canadian economy is quite strong, their purchasing power will work in Target’s favour as they will be instrumental in deciding whether or not their household will shop at Target or continue to acquire their goods at other large Canadian retailers.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Firstly, Target must ensure that its brand and its "bull’s eye" logo becomes top of mind for Canadian consumers. In order to accomplish this objective, they will need to integrate it into their marketing and public relations tactics and play up its colours as their logo and the Canadian flag share the same colours. Also, their upscale discounter image can be successful in Canada if Target continuously communicates their strong value proposition of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span>Expect More.Pay Less" as part of their overall strategy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We must also consider Target's competition such as Walmart, Canadian Tire, Sears Canada and JOE Fresh. To counter this threat, Target must continue to position itself as a trendy and hip retailer whose mission it is to ensure its guests live a unique shopping experience while acquiring high quality items at discount prices. This will help differentiate them from Walmart, for example, as they prefer to focus on offering consumers everyday low prices.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This leads us to the exciting part: Tactics! To successfully enter Canada, Target will need to integrate Canada's cultural diversity into its tactics. As they have never encountered this challenge, I've come up with a few suggestions to help them receive a warm welcome from my fellow Canucks.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My first attempt to create buzz and excitement around the Target brand would be to stage a special event in popular shopping malls across Canada. I would send out press kits to local fashion reporters and invite local bloggers to attend the event. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The special event would feature models wearing Target's designer clothing and Target representatives would give out goodie bags while serving local fare, for example, mini poutines in Montréal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The main attraction would be a large version of the Target logo. People could potentially win a variety of Target gift cards by playing darts with the logo. The maximum prize would be $1,000 and presented to people who reached the center of the bull’s eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The second tactic will build on </span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;">Target’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://corporate.target.com/about/mission-values"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">design for all </span></span></a></b>mantra and would be announced a week after the special event. Target would launch a new designer competition and encourage Canadian designers from across the country to create an apparel line for their store. The winner would be awarded $10,000 and their collection would be featured in their own "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ34plvb8tU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Shop</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">"</span></span>.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The competition would be promoted through a national TV ad campaign similar to their current commercials yet tailored to engage a Canadian audience. In addition, I would reach out to local fashion reporters as well as local fashion schools. I would also post information on Target's social media pages and create a Twitter hashtag: #designforcanada to incite participants to share their collections with Target's followers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Participants would need to create a full Winter 2013 collection clothing line that integrates at least one revamped traditional Canadian apparel item, i.e. moccasins, or a new Canadian item, i.e. Japanese kimono. The final participants’ collections would be judged by Canadian opinion leaders which would include <a href="http://www.fashiontelevision.com/show/personality_jeannebeker.aspx">Jeanne Beker</a>, <a href="http://www.marilyn.ca/">Marilyn Denis</a> and Flare magazine’s new editor in chief, <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/daily/style/gossip-monger/2012/06/21/miranda-purves-flare-editor-in-chief/">Miranda Purves</a>. The winner and their collection would be announced on the opening day of Target's first store in Toronto. This will help attract curious consumers and local media who are eager to purchase or view their fellow Canadian's clothing line.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I am confident that by using these proposed public relations tactics to support Target as THE new upscale discounter in Canada that they would not only satisfy Canadian consumers’ stylish and unique tastes but that they would topple their competition in 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->#pluggedin galhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718796848271858924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941832526007620061.post-33730939835728741752012-11-04T20:17:00.003-08:002012-11-05T14:21:25.679-08:00Is it too late to say I'm sorry?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;"><br />Timing is everything in the world of public relations. The need to juggle multiple priorities, deadlines and budgets for a client may tempt a PR practitioner to immediately create a to-do list. This is a common mistake but it is also a grave one.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #323232; font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Test, test, test….Is anybody listening? </span></span></b><b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #323232;"><span style="font-family: Corbel;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></strong>Companies tend to think they already understand the needs of their customer but do they take the time to assess and re-assess their needs on a regular basis? If not,how can they be confident their communication tactics will be effective? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;">"The goals of communication are to inform, persuade, motivate, or achieve mutual understanding,"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;">1 </span></sup></span>therefore a clear understanding of your publics is primordial. Once you've determined your audience's needs, you can better craft key messages that will grab their attention and enable you to truly engage with them.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;">Without having done the back work, it is very unlikely that the dissemination of your key messages will go smoothly. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;">A major PR faux pas is being out of touch with your audience. “People want to be entertained, informed or alerted to opportunities that can fulfill their needs.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;">1</span></sup> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;">Today’s consumers are quite savvy and can quickly detect a message that is not authentic. Even worse, they may ignore it.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;">A botched campaign is not only detrimental to one’s career but you’ll also be left to deal with one angry client.<br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #323232; font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Netflix: How to lose and alienate customers</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 17pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="color: #0000fb; font-family: Corbel;"><a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57468798-93/netflixs-lost-year-the-inside-story-of-the-price-hike-train-wreck/" style="font-family: Corbel;">Netflix’s PR blunder</a></span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;"> stemmed from an overconfident CEO who stopped listening to his customers and disregarded their needs.</span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;">In July 2011, Netflix announced to its customers that they would be increasing their prices in addition to separating its DVDs and unlimited streaming services. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;">Price hikes are not unusual but in Netflix's case, they failed to explain why they implemented the price hike ? What did this mean for their current or future customers? What was their strategy? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;">The bottom line was : Customers would now be paying more for less.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;">Netflix may have thought that masking the reason for their price hike through euphemisms would play in their favor but it did quite the opposite. Customers were infuriated and didn’t hesitate to share their thoughts online. Within minutes, </span><a href="http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/8891.aspx" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: blue;">Netflix was trending as #FAIL</span></a><span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;"> on Twitter and was being slammed all over the blogosphere.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232;"><b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;">Don't forget to throw in an insincere apology</span></b><b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;">Netflix chose to stay silent amidst receiving thousands of complaints. In a crisis management situation, listening and responding to your customers’ needs is key. </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;">Let us not forget that the owner of the Twitter handle <a href="https://twitter.com/qwikster"><span style="color: #0000fb;">@Qwikster</span></a> was an avid marijuana consumer and loved to integrate sexual innuendos into his tweets. Netflix may need a refresher course on the importance of research.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;">Needless to say, Qwikster was abandoned and Mr. Hastings admitted he tried to move forward too quickly.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;"> In the end, t</span><span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;">heir lack of transparency and strategy resulted in the loss of “800,000 subscribers, its stock price dropped 77 percent in four months, and management's reputation was battered,” as reported by </span><a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57468798-93/netflixs-lost-year-the-inside-story-of-the-price-hike-train-wreck/" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #0000fb;">CNET</span></a><span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;">.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;">This is a perfect example of what not to do when re-branding. It is evident that Netflix hadn’t done the back work. </span><span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;">Ultimately, they alienated their clients and they ended up paying the price.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Corbel; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">#be honest, be transparent and be timely.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 9.5pt;">1 </span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 9.5pt;">Wilcox, Denis et al. (2013). <i>THINK Public Relations</i>. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->#pluggedin galhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718796848271858924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941832526007620061.post-10679498929987751442012-10-21T20:28:00.002-07:002012-11-01T09:49:46.555-07:00Lesson of the day: Research, research, and then research some more.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Launching a PR campaign generates quite the excitement among the client and the public relations practitioner. As the client is focused on the end result, there is a lot of pressure put on the PR practitioner to obtain those results quickly and efficiently. In the essence of time, it may be easier to go straight to the to-do list rather than delve into the nitty-gritty sides of things, in other words, research.</span><span style="font-family: Corbel;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Research is an essential part of any public relations campaign. I would dare to say, the most important element of the campaign. It enables you to uncover important details about your publics and the world they live in.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Corbel;"><br /><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As <a href="http://www.icrsurvey.com/docs/MR%20for%20PR.doc"><span style="color: #0033cb; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Donald Treadwell</span></a> simply states,” to be a successful PR firm, it’s crucially important to understand the economic, political, legal, regulatory, public opinion, social, cultural, technological, marketing, and financial components of the organization you’re working for.”</span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Evidently, if you are a #plugged in PR professional, this type of research should be easy. It should be a simple matter of finding and collecting concrete facts. </span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Once you’ve got a better of idea of what’s out there, you may still have a few questions which can be uncovered through primary research.</span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Credit: </span><a href="http://crninc.net/images/Focus-Group.jpg"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">CRNinc.</span></span></a></span></td><!--EndFragment--></tr>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A focus group could be used to pretest your key messages, slogans and themes. You could uncover buzz words that resonated with them, and ditch those that didn’t. Your questions will enable you to compile rich and qualitative data based on these individuals' attitudes and motivations. This information can help you define your strategy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">One aspect of research that cannot be overlooked is comparing your organization to its competition. </span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It is important to understand what the competition is doing and what consumers think of them. Why? You’re most likely both targeting the same consumers. These findings will in turn help you shape your strategy to « counter their strengths and capitalize on their weaknesses »<sup>1</sup> </span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">At this point, you should be convinced that research is the first step when you want to create a successful public relations campaign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When designing a strategic plan, you will need to determine the answers to some key questions about facts, goals, and audiences. If your research was properly executed, you will already have those answers and you can begin to craft your strategy. </span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Not only should your strategy reflect your findings, but they should also be aligned with your organization’s business, marketing and communication objectives.</span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Understanding your audience can make the difference between a top notch campaign and a botched PR campaign. </span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Take </span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the <a href="http://www.dove.us/Social-Mission/campaign-for-real-beauty.aspx"><span style="color: #0033cb; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Dove Campaign for Real Beauty</span></a>. It was a bold attempt to challenge our society’s views on beauty. Dove, with the help of its PR agency, <a href="http://www.edelman.com/"><span style="color: #0033cb; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Edelman</span></a>, redefined the way women should feel about their bodies. </span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Corbel;">Credit:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.dove.us/Social-Mission/campaign-for-real-beauty.aspx">Dove</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">It wasn’t by accident that Dove came to the conclusion that the way beauty companies were marketing to women was all wrong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As explained by the </span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://www.prsa.org/SearchResults/view/471/105/Real_women_real_results_A_look_at_Dove_s_best_of_S"><span style="color: #0033cb; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Public Relations Society of America</span></a> (PRSA), Dove </span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">conducted a survey and found that </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">« 75 percent of respondents strongly agree that they wish "the media did a better job of portraying women of diverse physical attractiveness — age, shape and size." <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">»</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Without this information, Dove would not have been able to identify a clear strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wanted to </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">generate their sales, create dialogue and debate about the definition of beauty and implement Dove self-esteem programs and they did! </span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It should come as no surprise that the PRSA presented them with the 2006 Silver Anvil Best of Award to fortheir Campaign for Real Beauty.</span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Lesson of the day: Research, research, and then research some more.</span><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Cantarell','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">1 </span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Wilcox, Denis et al. (2013). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">THINK Public Relations</i>. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<img height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Nai2UDKix8JSVLIF7v39o7nQzs967aXx_bZed2SYTLx-oNo08g2lqsZ3nAUEv8loogdVgDRsCfulV9pEed7LtH9NoWDRqKW8hNHPGMuAfQQJk8A4Uxw-05CgDcnyzxnqoEO5-_TdF0kg/s200/Focus-Group.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 485px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 606px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />#pluggedin galhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718796848271858924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941832526007620061.post-23268833289308838932012-10-15T07:38:00.003-07:002012-10-31T10:54:43.529-07:00Interview with a PR professional<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As a former <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Université de Saint-Boniface </i>(USB) student, I was thrilled to meet their Communications Coordinator, Monique LaCoste, at a Manitoba IABC networking event this month. I couldn't think of a better person to interview. Without hesitation, she agreed to meet with me at her office the following week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Monique LaCoste has over 18 years of experience as a CBC journalist. She is a well- known and respected public figure in the francophone community. She started as a radio announcer and transitioned to television in 2002.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She decided to focus on her family in 2006 and started </span><span lang="FR-CA"><a href="http://moniquelacoste.com/index_hirez.htm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Monique LaCoste Communications</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Her initial plan was to take on radio, television and documentary projects but she was often called upon to produce communications materials for her clients’ public relations needs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Why did she take the plunge and start a public relations career? It was really by accident that Monique made this decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stumbled on a job posting that perfectly encompassed both her skills and her interests. This dream job is her current position at the USB.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She admits the transition was somewhat difficult. I was curious to know if any of her previous skills as a journalist proved to be useful for her current role. Her excellent writing and research skills have definitely come in handy. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span></b>Being able to think fast, absorb important information and organize it in a concise and clear manner is crucial," says Monique. Not to mention she is quite media savvy. Monique understands how the media functions; what makes them cringe and what makes them embrace your story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Typical is not the best way to describe her work weeks. Unpredictable would be much more suitable. She is currently juggling seven projects, which include an internal and external fundraising campaign, the annual report, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sous la coupole </i>magazine, and much more. Oftentimes, she must drop everything to write a press release, a letter or even a speech as requested by other departments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As we had discussed in class, a public relations campaign can take years of development before it can be successful and deemed to be true for Monique's proudest career milestone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her eyes lit up as she described the recent re-branding of the USB. I must admit, as a former student, I was fascinated to hear the details of this lengthy process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Credit: <a href="http://la-liberte.mb.ca/actuel/la-coupole-des-temps-modernes"><span style="color: blue;">La Liberté</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">From left to right, Raymonde Gagné, USB President and Monique LaCoste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Although the re-branding of the university occurred within the last year, it took years of preparation to create significant buzz around the USB in order to influence public perception.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It began in 2009 with a public opinion poll to determine how familiar Manitobans were with the USB. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They found that close to 56% of Manitobans knew or had heard of the USB.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Monique had her work cut out for her. A branding budget was set and specific projects were strategically picked to raise overall awareness of the USB brand in English and French media outlets. </span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">By 2011, 62% of Manitobans admitted they recognized the USB name.<br /><br />Monique's efforts were finally paying off and as reported by the <a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Universite-de-Saint-Boniface-s-enrolment-soars-by-84-per-cent-171575981.html"><span style="color: blue;">Winnipeg Free Press</span></a>, "USB has seen its enrolment soar by 8.4 per cent, bringing its total enrolment to an all-time record of 1,267 in 2012."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Needless to say, Monique is quite proud of the USB's new brand image. The creation of their new logo was definitely one of the highlights. An outside agency drafted 14 versions but it came down to 2 logos which were presented to a focus group. "It was a unanimous decision. Everybody agreed that our current logo was the right choice," exclaimed Monique. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The result is truly astonishing. The logo encompasses both the rich history of the institution yet incorporates its bright future. Click<span style="color: blue;"> </span><a href="http://www.ustboniface.mb.ca/logo-en"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a> to read more about the different aspects of the USB logo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As I chuckled nervously, I dared to ask her how one becomes a successful communications coordinator. She stressed that what differentiates an average PR practitioner to a top notch one is how #plugged in she/he is with their respective community. They must understand their publics before they can effectively communicate with them. Being #plugged in does not only mean being in tune with trends in the PR industry but also in the business world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What a relief for a #plugged in gal like me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Inspired by her dynamic energy, I asked her if she could provide any advice to a hopeful PR professional such as myself. She immediately shouted "GO FOR IT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in a dire need for public relations practitioners, especially ones that can communicate in French." She assured me that formal training was the right path, and she does wish she would have known this before starting her own PR career.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her last words of wisdom were simple: Be passionate. She didn’t hide the fact that her job is not a typical 9-5 job. A true PR professional loves to talk about their organization whether they’re on the clock or not. They are constantly looking for new opportunities to relate with their publics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She definitely worked some #prmagic on me. This interview solidified my decision to pursue a career in public relations. It was a delight to meet a such a passionate public relations professional like Monique. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">#lookingforwardtomyfuture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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#pluggedin galhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718796848271858924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941832526007620061.post-64994626804571024272012-09-24T14:46:00.000-07:002012-11-19T13:08:56.845-08:00Comments<span style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel;"></span><br />
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<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif";">Comment #1 in response to :</span><a href="http://www.mmipublicrelations.com/blog/entry/correct-your-social-media-behavior-now-please/" style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small;">Correct Your Social Media Behavior, Now Please by Mimi Public Relations</span></a></h3>
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<span lang="FR-CA" style="background: white; color: #228822; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Credit: </span><span lang="FR-CA" style="background: white; color: #228822; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.business2community.com/"><span style="color: purple;">business2community.com</span></a></span><span lang="FR-CA" style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span> <span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Thanks for this great article!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Your message about a consistent message really resonated with me. I often visit company websites who list their social media accounts. Intrigued by the fact that they are utilizing Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, I decide to check them out. Unfortunately, I’ve come to realize that many companies are not staying ahead of the game, their Facebook page is quite bare, their content hasn’t been refreshed for months, and I find myself never visiting their page again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Social media may not be what they consider a huge part of their business, but it can certainly impact consumers’ perceptions about their brand if they aren’t effectively using it. If there is a lack of relevant, interesting content on a company’s online profile, I am lead to believe that they aren’t interested in building a relationship with me as a consumer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">In today’s world, companies need to focus more of their efforts on public relations. The way we communicate and interact has completely changed. As you’ve stated, “We live and breathe the online world of constantly connected, no boundaries social media." Organizations must realize that consumers in 2012 aren't what they were 10 years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Comment #2 in response to:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.waxingunlyrical.com/2012/10/19/making-business-connections/"><span style="color: blue;">The True Secret of Networking and Making Business Connections by Waxing UnLyrical</span></a></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I thoroughly enjoyed your take on networking and making business connections. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I recently read that”</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://blog.jobfully.com/2010/07/the-math-behind-the-networking-claim/"><span style="color: blue;">70 percent</span></a> of all jobs<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> are found through networking.” This is a reality I need to quickly get accustomed to if I expect to find a job upon graduation. Getting out there and meeting people at these types of event is crucial for a PR student such as myself.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I must admit that I find networking quite intimidating, I have a hard time “selling myself” to others. I’d love to meet a PR superstar who could share some of their tricks of the trade. My problem is finding the courage to approach them. </span><b><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">My personal goal for the year is to get out there and meet as many PR professionals as possible. </span><b><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">My first networking event was earlier this month with the <a href="http://manitoba.iabc.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Manitoba IABC</span></a>. It was an extremely rewarding experience. I met the Communications Coordinator at the <a href="http://www.ustboniface.mb.ca/"><span style="color: blue;">Université de Saint-Boniface</span></a> and she gladly shared with me her perspective on their recent re-branding. It was fascinating! If I had decided to go home after work, I would have never made this connection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">For this reason, I can definitely agree that “the point is in the meetings. The point is in the people. The point is in connecting, reconnecting, and reveling in connection.” </span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Thanks Shonali!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Thanks for sharing some valuable tips after the Sandy disaster. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I find that public relations practitioners are always faced with new challenges and oftentimes they want to get the job done. However, shameless promotion in a time of crisis is never the right choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you state, peoples’ « emotions are running high » during a crisis. Catching news reporters and consumers when they are vulnerable may grab their attention but it certainly won’t impress them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">After all, as PR professionals, isn’t it our ultimate goal to build positive relationships with our publics? Why would a time of a crisis be a good time to pitch our nonessential news, or even worse, leverage the crisis to our advantage? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Haven’t we learned our lessons from previous PR gaffes such as Kenneth Cole’s controversial</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><a href="http://prdaily.com/Main/Articles/6930.aspx"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">tweet</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">about the citizen uprising in Cairo?</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c1f; font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It’s evident that PR newbies like me and even PR pros need to brush up on their crisis management skills from time to time. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Comment #4 in response to:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #191c1f;"><a href="http://blog.journalistics.com/2010/dating-advice-for-pr-pro/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dating
Advice for PR Pros by Jeremy Porter</span></span></a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">What an interesting way of
describing media relations to a public relations practitionner. Thanks Jeremy!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #191c1f; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As a PR newbie, I thought
your examples were relevant and I definetly agree that confidence and humour
are just as important on a first date as they are during your first interaction
with a journalist. Creating a lasting first impression is key to build a long-term
relationship and it’s important that it be a positive impression.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.todaysetiquette.blogspot.ca/2010/11/etiquette-of-making-small-talk.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">todaysetiquette.blogspot.com</span></a></span></td>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was also intrigued by
your suggestion to have a friend set you up with a journalist. It seems simple
but it could</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> be quite effective for new public relations professionals who have zero relationships
with the media</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I never thought dating and
media relations could be so similar. I am now convinced that I can use my dating
expertise when I start building relationships with my local reporters.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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#pluggedin galhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718796848271858924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8941832526007620061.post-48209002542936779622012-09-24T11:26:00.003-07:002012-10-15T19:29:13.168-07:00Slackers need not apply<!--StartFragment--><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">What I quickly learned was that public relations is not simply for individuals who love socializing. It may sound glamorous, fun and hip but it requires hard work and dedication. A public relations practitioner must be #plugged in to current events, conduct extensive research, monitor the media and craft timely responses if they ever expect to run a successful PR campaign.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">Prior to our class discussion, I didn’t realize how unpredictable public relations could truly be. </span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">Countless hours could be spent sending press releases, setting up interviews, planning events and preparing a press kit, but it could take months before it appears in the media. </span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';"> Journalists can dictate if a PR campaign will succeed or fail in many cases. If a press release doesn't grab their attention, it could get lost in the shuffle.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">One thing I know for sure, PR is not designed for slackers; it requires creativity, curiosity, intelligence, excellent writing skills and problem solving skills. There is #neveradullmoment.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Credit: </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;"><a href="http://prquote.tumblr.com/post/4262832395/yes-sir-maam-journo-blogger-angry"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PR Quote</span></a></span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">Public relations is a vital part of any organization. When I think of </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><a href="http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/96185--canada-s-30-favourite-canadian-companies"><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">Canada’s favorite companies</span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">, I must say WestJet comes to mind, and I can also vouch for my 80-year old grandfather who rarely travels yet refuses to fly with Air Canada. </span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">As one blogger put</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">s</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';"> it, “M</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">y overall flying with WestJet was a really great experience and should I be traveling to Canada again I wouldn't hesitate to fly with them again.” You can read more about her WestJet experience <a href="http://www.margaretonthego.com/2012/05/love-letter-to-westjet-airlines.html">here</a>.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;"><br /><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;">WestJet Airlines’ customer service, advertising and</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;"> public relations</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;"> departments</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;"> create a seemingly </span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;">flawless </span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;">synergy</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;">. This</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;">definitely explains</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;"> how </span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;">they’ve</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;"> become Canada’s third favorite company. </span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%;">Way to go WestJet!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Credit: </span></span><a href="http://prquote.tumblr.com/post/3921459997/cultivate-an-unrestrained-yet-constructive-and"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">PR Quote</span></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><br />Silence is never an option.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';"></span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">This piqued my interest because some companies would prefer staying silent rather than adding fuel to the fire. That being said, it is much better to release your side of story rather than allowing speculation in the media and blogosphere to run rampant. It only takes a few minutes for rumors to spiral out of control. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">In damage control situations, proper media training is definitely key. Senior management must be able to respond as quickly as possible and it is a PR professional’s responsibility to ensure they are ready at a moment’s notice. Acting fast is always the right solution!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Corbel;"><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">As for what I’m hoping to learn from this class, I would have to say I’m quite interested in exploring how public relations can be measured. What would my clients like to hear? What measurement tools are used in the PR world?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">Evidently, research is key when it comes to creating a successful PR campaign, but how does one define their publics? As a public relations practitionner, stakeholders can </span><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">range from employees to governments as opposed to a marketer who can define a specific market for their company. For example, Banana Republic can easily define their target audience to: men and women</span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';"> between the ages of 20-50 with an income level of $50,000 to $80,000 who have a professional career.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">Lastly, what type of messaging is most effective for a broader audience? What are the best practices for public relations? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Corbel','sans-serif';">#cantwaittofindout</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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