My New Brand!

This is the brand I have chosen for my portfolio.

Seeing PR and Radio Together

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go to the WSB station in Atlanta with WGUR 88.9 FM, which is the college radio station that I work for. I am the Public Relations Manager for the station. We got a chance to take a tour of the clear channel/cox stations of WSB, which are News Talk 750 AM, Kiss 104.1, 97.1 The River, B 98.5, and 95.5 The Beat. The main focus was on 95.5 The Beat. We had the chance to go into the DJ booth and meet some of their DJs. The program manager, Cagle, showed us around the station along with the Sales Director, Andrew. I also had the opportunity to meet some of the promotions staff and talk with them about how they run promotions, how long it takes them to start planning an event. They have a strategic process they follow which makes them look at what do they want to do at the event, what are the prizes, who will attend, and much more to make their events successful. They also have a prize closet, filled with fun promotional items. Being able to have a budget definitely makes a difference. I learned that you must have a plan if you want to have not only successful events and contests, but to have a successful radio station and a thriving business.

Belated Post-Evaluation of Mean In Green

My thoughts about the Mean In Green Basketball season are definitely diverse to say the least. Some things went really well, some did not. The whole process was definitely a learning experience. I feel like I have grown in my Public Relations "self" as I like to call it. I know how to work together in planning and executing things not only in a team, but by myself. I know that some people are willing to help you accomplish a common goal, while others will turn away from you, and even stand in the way of your visions. But there are more good helpers than evil ones, and with that being said, I feel like the success of the program overall went well. I would want to change the number of games that the group who does this project takes on, to not spread themselves so thin. Mean In Green was definitely something that was fun and exciting and I really have enjoyed it.

The Tipping Point

Through reading the novel, "The Tipping Point", I have come to identify myself as a connector. I feel as if I have that "special gift for bringing people together" as Gladwell writes on page 38. I feel as if I am a very motivated person who enjoys meeting others and making personal relationships with them. I feel like I know a lot of people through the different clubs and activities that I partake in, as well as getting to know my classmates. I think that I am effective when it comes to creating a brand and spreading the word about it. In the example of the "Mean In Green" brand, I told a lot of my friends in other classes about it, and I feel like more of them now attend games. At last night's game, my friends who are in the marketing classes used "Mean In Green" on their flyers and posters. This shows that the word is spreading and it is becoming a staple for GCSU Athletics. Some great examples of connectors that were given are Paul Revere, Lois Weisberg, and Rod Steigers. Connectors know how to deal with others and enjoy doing so. The second question is how can the Mean In Green team tip the athletic auction. Since I am a connector, I believe that getting the word out to the community is key. The invitations must be enticing and make the average person in the community want to attend the event. Everything needs to be flawless so that the community who attends has a great time and gives money to GCSU Athletics. In the words of Gladwell, we need to make the event sticky. It must appeal and entertain everyone. Once we get the word out about the event itself, we must keep the guests attention going by enticing them with food, decorations, drinks, and an all around great atmosphere. All in all, I believe that our team can pull it off to have a successful Athletic Auction in April 2010.

Planning PR Events during Homecoming

This week for Georgia College & State University is Homecoming 2010. For the past several weeks, Myself and my Pr Team at the college radio station, WGUR 88.9FM The Edge, have been working on our float for the 2010 parade through downtown Milledgeville, as well as tailgate events at the Sean Kingston and MUTEMATH concert tomorrow night and the Basketball games Saturday afternoon. I have learned this week that it is essential to have a team helping you when you are planning and executing an event. Without the help of others for manpower, idea bouncing, and simply spreading the word about the event, the event will not go smoothly or be successful. You cannot do everything by yourself, and you need others to lean on. Event planning can be very stressful and you need others around you that you can count on to get the job done. I have also been helping the current SGA Vice-President with the concert decorations and everything that encompasses the VIP area in the Centennial Center. The job has been very stressful on her due to the fact that she does not have a committee helping her. I realized that the use of others is vital to not only the events themselves, but for your own sanity.

Athletic Auction Pitch

Tuesday, our PR class pitched our ideas for the 2010 Athletic Auction here at Georgia College & State University. I was the A.E. for my group which consisted of two other class members. Our idea centered around the success of the GCSU Athletics Department. Last year, GCSU won the Peach Belt Conference's Commissioner's Cup, which means that GCSU had the most successful Athletics Department in the conference. Because we wanted to convey that image to our guests, the image that they would be giving to a program that is successful, we thought that they attendees would spend more money. We also brought in local aspects that would be familiar to our guests. GCSU is located in an area in Georgia called "Lake Country". We are within a close distance to many lakes. The theme that my group chose was "Fishing For Bobcat Success". We wanted to show how successful our teams our while placing it into a comfortable lake setting. Although our idea was not chosen, we know that the Athletic Department appreciated our time and efforts. The theme chosen was a Hollywood theme. I am anxious to see the final results and have full confidence that the event will be wonderful and flawless and that the guests will have a great time and spend money to help our school.

Trip to Flager College

Last week, I was able to go on a trip to Flager College with my Public Relations class. We spent a few days there getting to know the campus and exploring everything that Saint Augustine has to offer. We also got a chance to see our men's and women's basketball teams defeat the Flager teams at the Monday night game. We also had a chance to meet with a Sport's Marketing Class and discuss how we have been working with GCSU Athletics in branding a new identity for the department. We discussed how to create a successful theme and move it throughout the season, and maybe even for years to come. We also had a chance to meet with their PRSSA chapter, who showed us the exciting PR firm that they created with their advisor. We also showed them how to get involved with Athletics. Overall, the trip was a successful way to network and share ideas with other college students.