Comments

Comment #1

Author: Isaac Gutwilik

blog link : http://dounuwas.blogspot.ca/

I agree with Isaac's post about participating in a Twitter's chat. One should know the group members in a chat room and where the focus is on the topic. It is really annoying to be a part of a chat room where everyone is discussing their own ideas. I think you should know the topic very well, research about it, and then only participate in a chat. Most important, the topic should be of your interest or you will never have interest in it. Isaac is very energetic person and has a vast knowledge. He can talk to you with keeping the interest of both, but when the focus is not there, a good communicator can't do much.

Comment # 2

Author: Patrick Budge

blog link :http://cdbudgep.blogspot.ca/2012/03/tow-no2-capt-capt-jill-strelieff.html 

Patrick portrayed a very good example of what the Air Force PR person does. How the daily routine of PR person in Canadian Forces like. I realized that there are lot of PR persons who were journalists before taking PR as their career. Captain Jill is one of them, but she has a competitive edge with speaking English and French. Patrick is bilingual too; one day he will be on a good position.

Comment # 3

Author: Ray Eskritt

blog link : http://peacock-pr.blogspot.ca/2012/03/hannah-rose-pratt-public-relations-pro.html

Ray wrote about Hannah Pratt, Communications Coordinator for The Winnipeg Humane Society. Her interview tells us that you need be multitasking and doing lot of other things than PR. I agree with Ray that there is diversity, creativity, art and writing wrapped up into a single career! Ray loves dealing with multiple challenges at a time and happily tackle it. She knows the art of balancing her words. I am very excited to see her on news channel. 

Comment # 4

Author: Vikas Kumar

blog link : http://vikasprmanagement.blogspot.ca/2012/03/since-my-schooling-i-am-interested.html

Well said Vikas. We come from India and we are becoming part of many Public's in Canada. As a International student, we have certain privilege of becoming part of some public's and it important to be part of few. It is a certainly a good guideline for new student to Canada.  

Comment # 5

Author: Mickie Kennedy  

blog link : http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/11365.aspx

3 of the toughest challenges PR persons face:

I agree with Mickie that the three toughest challenges PR person faces are: Battling Stereotypes, Getting heard, Everyone thinks they know everything. These are the daily challenges a PR person has to encounter and that too many times. They need to be more patient and hold their nerve. 

Comment # 6

Author: Kevin Allen

blog link : http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/11364.aspx

Ultimate example of how not to engage in PR

“Let's hurry home and follow the earthquake news. And don't forget to order your favorite KFC menu.” 

This was the message posted by KFC Thailand urging people to hurry home due to Wednesday’s tsunami scare and order a bucket of the Colonel’s original recipe chicken. 

Isn't it a terrible choice? It is.. We can all agree. 

And the most shocking comes after that; where the PR published a apology letter along with So Sorry on the KFC cover and posted it on Facebook. This spoiled their image and the news covered the issue damaging it further.

A very interesting example which tells where not to engage in PR during this kind of situation.

Twitter Chat

My Twitter Chat about Healthcare Communications and Social Media on March 25, 08:00pm CT

#HCSM chat

Well It was my first time participating in a live Twitter chat. I was very excited to know about the relation between Healthcare Communications and Social Media, as this will open new doors for PR and Marketing professionals. I wanted to see the PR professionals role in HCSM chat. So, I tuned in myself before 8:00 pm to observe the topics of the discussion, and how others starts this topic. 


The topics were:

1) Not everyone is convinced that HCSM matters. How do you convince HC providers to get online – or to get social?

2) What’s the difference between mobile health (or #mHealth) and social health?

3) We all have so much more data @ our fingertips now: providers, HC orgs, and patients alike. How do you deal w/ so much data? (Example – patients can self-track behaviors, symptoms – how do docs deal with that data? How do patients learn to assess, manage that data?) 

I started my chat with a suggestion, but no one responded me on that. It looks like whosoever joining the chat room was busy in pitching their own question. Also, there were regular followers who came to chat room to see each other; they were more interested about their personal stuff.


After the first 20 minutes, We got a message that we have to move to topic number two. Again, I raised my question, and at this time someone responded and liked my idea. Then suddenly the flow of tweets started increasing and the connectivity around a subject started loosing.


Then I took a stand as observer and learnt that as a PR and Marketing person, their is great scope of business opportunity in health care division. They need to have good strategy for accessing particular department and communicating their customers.
Though it was little annoying for me to maintain my interest listening the personal information, but I understood that there are few good conversation that kept the interest going. 
Next time I prefer to see if the topic of chat is related to my interest. Overall it was good experience.

TOW # 4

Research for developing effective PR campaign:

What are some of the ways that research can be used to develop an effective Public Relations campaign?  We must discuss the importance and role of research in terms of the strategic planning process. In other words, it helps to define the audience, determine the message ,and the overall strategy.

Research is the process of gathering information for organizational use, or personal use. Research is a form of controlled, objective, and systematic gathering of information.In order to to convey any information to the public, it must be factual and concise. From a Public Relation stand point, without research you would be operating in the dark. 

Primary Research:

This is very important research which involves conducting original data through questionnaires, one-to-one interviews, telephone interviews, focus groups, blogs etc. This research helps you answer specific questions, but it's very expensive.
Example: if you are writing about the Winnipeg Jets involvement in a social cause; one of the best ways to learn about the Jets players is to go, talk to them, and observe their behavior.

Secondary Research:

Secondary research is reviewing the existing research ; for example, by statistics Canada where the research, is typically more general. There are many resources like :Books, journals, and newspapers. Further sources can include websites from various sources ,professional journals ,and official organizations.
Example: Documentaries on National Geographic Channel are source of information. Statistics Canada has published statistics on census and housing in Canada.    

Qualitative Research:

One of the methods of qualitative research is focus groups. Focus groups is an in-depth interviews to get the particular data. The output will be very specific. This helps in delivering key messages for specific audience using their interests. This is a primary data, as mentioned above.

Example: Research conducted on examining the childcare practices, and issues experienced by the low-income construction workers in India. It is concerned with understanding varied aspects relating to problems that construction workers, as parents, face while bringing up their children in  small construction company.

Quantitative Research:

In quantitative research there are data a variety of techniques like: e-mail, fax, face-to-face, mail, mall intercepts, telephone, and web-sites. This is more focused for general audiences / masses. Thus, effective strategy can be decided for particular demographics, age, culture, location, etc. This is secondary data ,as illustrated in secondary research.

Example : Cellular service providers; Fido, Rogers sends e-mail, phone calls, website interaction with customers and asks them the feedback about new schemes and packages.

Why research is needed :

1. To collect appropriate information to do the job more effectively.

2. To gain data regarding the views of key target audience.

3. To track programs, competition, actions or events that are important to 

    achieve the ultimate goals of the organization.

4. To analyze current statistics, and projecting future challenges in  

    maintaining or increasing the target audience.

5. To evaluate the effectiveness of a particular publics by measuring 

    outputs and outcomes against a predetermined set of objectives.

6. Dealing with unexpected crisis, put the issues involved into proper 

    channels through emergency screening.

7. To provide appropriate support in promoting a specific program, 

    and event through the most effective communication medium.

8. To figure out the interests of the audience, key message, and strategies

    to improve the goal of the organization.

Thus, the effectiveness of the above mentioned research process, can incorporate a 'SWOT' (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threats) approach to the analysis for your public relations campaign. Finally, you achieve S.M.A.R.T. goals. It is really up to you which research process you adapt to target your desired audience.

TOW # 3

What is a public ? Which publics are you a member of ? How did you choose to become a member of those publics? Choose and discuss at least three.


Publics are the group or communities of people at large that have a direct or indirect association with an organization: customers, employees, investors, media, students, etc.

These groups are formed as per different category; age, religion, language, society, liking, interests, income and many more. Division of these groups in to specific category helps reach these publics more effectively as their likings and interests are similar.

I am a member of some of the public's. Here is a list of few of them:

• ·         Indian
• ·         Maharashtrian
• ·         Marathi
• ·         Hindi
• ·         Mumbaikar
• ·         Maratha
• ·         Filmmaker
• ·         Online Communication
• ·         Bollywood
• ·         Social Worker
• ·         Public Relations Professionals
• ·         NGO's

1) Filmmaker :

Amit Khedekar

My passion towards Filmmaking brought me to Mumbai; city of Bollywood, which is  the economic capital of India, where I started my carrier working as assistant director with Prakash Jha Film Production. This decision made my path clear. “I have decided that I want to convey my stories through this magical medium of films, and hypnotize the audiences." After working as an assistant director for few years, I became more passionate about Film production, film direction, editing, and cinematography.

I preferred this challenging, innovative, creative, and glamorous career because of its uniqueness. I have spent almost eight years in filmmaking profession and successfully progressed my personal growth as a filmmaker. I want to make movies, documentaries related to society, culture, and politics.

Being a member of this group, I generally interact with other like minded professionals all over the world. We have international community on http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2935783/ and associations all over the world. The online community is breaching the gap between language, distance, and availability of filmmakers all over the globe.

I am happy to be part of filmmakers community and will remain actively involved in it.

2) Online communications: 

Image : http://www.jauhari.net 

I am the member of online communications groups. I choose to be in this group because of today's need. The need to match the fast pace of the society. Online communications are no longer communications accessory, but are an integral way for all organisations to communicate both internally and externally. Although the fast-paced nature of online communications can be beneficial, these types of strategies can also lead to many challenges. that your customers rely on for their information.

There are many channels you could choose to communicate your message. Focus on those venues and vehicles where your best target customers gather or go for solutions to their problem.

Most growing businesses promote their capabilities via their corporate Web sites and a variety of online search engines and advertising vehicles such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Yahoo. Some more sophisticated businesses are leveraging electronic commerce to sell their goods and services. But few small businesses realize that the Web can be used to build closer ties with their customers, prospects, employees and partners, and compete with larger

companies on a more even playing field.

How Useful

·         collaborate and share tasks, including the exchange of files

·         provide each other with instant feedback

·         raise questions

·         participate in open discussion

·         share experiences, ideas and resources

3) Mumbaikar :

Marine Drive, Mumbai.
Image source : http://www.travelguidemumbai.com/ 

I am born and bought up in central part of India. After completing my post graduation, I shifted to Mumbai. I became Mumbaikar (resident of Mumbai) in 2002. I loved the fast pace and glamorous life of Mumbai. The city never sleeps and always push you to your limits. It is always a great place to live and enjoy the spirit of the city.

More than 20 million people live in this city, and the city welcomes and accommodates thousands of new people shifting here, just like I did. I went on to stay with my cousin at his downtown residence. Hi-rise buildings, people, lifeline local trains are the true visible forces here. Later on I shifted to Andheri which is the heart of Bollywood and film production houses. Though the meaning of Andheri is darkness; it is one of the glamorous area of the city.

Gateway of India
Image source: http://www.travelguidemumbai.com/

Spirit of Mumbai:

Terrorists tried to shatter the spirit of this city on November 26, 2011 by attacking on hotel Taj, Trident Hotel, Nariman House, and church gate station. They were hiding for three days and Mumbai was battling with them bravely. Most of the residents were offering food, drinks, accommodation, and online help for free to unknown residents who were trapped. They have very positive attitude towards life in any situation. If you are in need; Mumbaikar will come to help first than the police.     

A day after the bomb blast, when I reached my office, and there was announcement that we all were “Proud to be Working today”. It gave a great “solace” to my heart.  

Mumbai's Dabbawala:

Image source : http://www.india-forums.com

Meaning a person who carries a container, is the term given to the thousands of men responsible for transporting and delivering around 200,000 lunch boxes of freshly cooked food to the city's office workers every day. This unique concept was started to meet the needs of British rulers. However, it's now continued on to service Indian businessmen who can't get home for lunch. Witness this incredible system in operation at Churchgate station from around 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., as the dabbawalas unload the lunch boxes from the trains and prepare to head to their customer's offices, or you can even join the dabbawalas for a day.

The city has gotten it’s unique character from everyone – those that have resided in it since ages, as well as those who have come from all over the country and abroad. And those who have contributed their talent, resourcefulness and hard work to the city.