two PR girls

PR can it be Personal?

2010-07-08T10:21:00.002+01:00

My placement at global tolerance is in full swing, I have been given numerous different challenges on many different and exciting projects but this one is by far the most interesting for me to date. Simon Cohen, founder and director of global tolerance has given each of the work placement students a personal paper to work on. It is essentially a research document that will be our own work. I am working with Gosia, another University of Westminster Student on a paper about Personal Relations - PR has over time developed a rather negative image, it is linked to Propoganda, Spin, Lies and Deceit but this does not have to be the case. I want to offer an alternative approach, a more human approach. You can read my thoughts on the subject in a post that I have written for the global tolerance connect website, I would love your feedback - http://www.globaltoleranceconnect.com/profiles/blogs/a-pr-puzzle-personal-relations?xg_source=activity

Bex x

It's been a long time....

2010-06-15T22:51:00.002+01:00

Several months have passed and shamefully I have neglected to add any more news to this blog, I am sorry, it has been madness!!! MADNESS I TELL YOU!!!! I started an internship for a company called global tolerance, I have a placement there for three months over the summer so it was straight from Uni to the office.

My advice to anyone wanting to get ahead in the game is to get as much experience as you possibly can. My first week was such a shock to the system though, as much as I hate to admit this I had become a 'Student' and by that I mean.... "9am???? What's 9am???" the early morning commute nearly killed me. Oh and just a heads up, people commuting in London are RUDE!!!! The decent common and courteous stereotype that us English folk are "said" to have goes and is replaced with crazy elbow jabbing, kicking and general raucous debauchery!!! Oh it makes comical entertainment and that's before you make it into your office. Thats scrambling for a tiny spot in the tube carriage!!

So apart from all of that it is all going very well, but I really mean it when I say there is nothing like real hands on experience. Simon Cohen, (my boss) great guy and very trusting, not that that's a bad thing it makes you feel amazing when someone believes in you but part of me is sceptical at my own ability being only a first year BA and its is quite scary when you have to apply what you have learn't in a real working environment. Anyway I hope I have entertained you I will am pledging to keep updating this on a much more regular basis and really delve into the nity grity of what my placement entails so stay tuned folks.... the juicy bit are yet to come..... Bonne Nuite x

We are not the only ones....

2010-05-04T21:37:00.005+01:00

As you know me and Becky are not the only ones who study Public Relations at the University of Westminster and so we thought that it would be a great idea to mention our cool fellow students who also have their blogs and websites. They all have different styles and messages and maybe some of you may like what they have to say. We have some really cool and crazy friends so it is definitely worth checking their stuff out.....

here are some of the links to their work:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=356967067893
Facebook group for Italian students planning to study in London

http://cathrinerainbow.wordpress.com/

a Blog from a Russian beauty

http://penguinsperspectivepr.blogspot.com /

very readable blog from my friend who is into politics

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=360464196196&ref=nf

Blog about fashion from a French fashion lover Pauline

Hope you will find them as exciting as us!!!

Hana

xxx

Studential.com

2010-05-04T13:27:00.002+01:00

Fellow Students and Students to be check out this website!! It was founded in 2002 and is run by a 2 person team, Tom and Naomi who help people from 16plus with their acedemic journey.

So if you do want to know something about returning to education or furthering your education I bet you will find the answers here and if not then you can always ask myself or Hana and we would be happy to help out.

http://www.studential.com

They have sections on Applying to University, After University, At University and they have student blogs on their website so you can get the latest from those there expiriencing for themselves!

Let me know what you think Bex x

So you wanna be a PR Star??

2010-04-30T00:05:00.003+01:00

Term is finished but we are still here beavering away!!! Just sorted out my student loan paperwork for next year and it been approved and then spent all day to day battling with the University Admin office trying to register for my optional modules next year!!!

That is one of the good things about this degree that though the foundation and the core teaching is about Public Relations you also get the choice of free choice modules and you can tailor these to the specific area you would like to progress your career. For instance I am particularly interested in the link between PR and Advertising and have chosen an Advertising module and wait for it a module in strategic financial management!!! But you can do anything some of the guys on the course are studying polylang, one of the girls is doing Chinese which is pretty cool, you can take modules in fashion, music, photography - What eva floats your boat.

Any way wanted to hook you up with another fabulous website - check this out...

http://http://www.behindthespin.com/careers/so-you-wannabe-a-pr-star

If you are looking for more info on possibly studying for a career in PR click on this link and check out the website and also feel free to leave comments and questions here.... or click on my picture and you will be linked into my twitter feed and you can send me a message - don't be shy its such a huge step to take and I wish there had been someone to answer my questions when I applied and then prepared to move to London so if I can be of help........ do not hesitate! xx

This is it!

2010-04-22T23:14:00.009+01:00

It is quite unbelievable but it is the truth.... we have successfully finished our first year at the University!!!
...... thank you, thank you... I can hear your congratulations..how nice !!! :))))
I have to say that I am so relieved and also proud ... I can not wait to call my mum and tell her that her daughter did it!!!
She has been so fantastic and supportive all the time and it is very nice to hear some words of praise... especially when you are 27 years old... ;)))

The whole year was a lot of fun sometimes a bit stressful and has definitely fulfilled my expectations. Throughout the year we met some very interesting people, we went to the panel debate with Max Clifford, Trevor Beattie, Mark Borkowski and Julian Linley, we've had a fantastic hosting lecturer Cole Moreton for the whole second semester and we met lots of other important people from different PR agencies like Hill and Knowlton, Don'tPanic and also Peter Bingle from Bell Pottinger who talked to us about their work and how to become successful in what we do.

Our lecturers Trish Evans, Simon Goldsworthy and Trevor Moris - in the first semester

(the authors of the book: PR a persuasive idustry? Spin, Public Relations and the shaping of the modern media) were the best we could have hoped for!!

We have worked on campaigns, wrote press releases and handed in lots of course works, spent lots of hours at the library and now it feels so strange to have a big break for almost 5 months!

I will be still very busy working four days a week plus an internship but will miss the Uni very much! I have enjoyed morning coffees in the class with Trish Evans asking us about what we have read in the newspapers and learning about new things all the time...

Most importantly I have met fantastic young people with whom I had so much fun!!!!! Will miss them very much because most of them are returning to their homes for the holidays.

However Becky is staying so you will hear from us a lot more :)))))

Hana xxx

Oh What a Night....

2010-04-22T01:14:00.012+01:00

Just back from the launch of Cole Moreton's book Is God Still an Englishman?? This is going to be a quick post as I have a presentation to do tomorrow and I need my beauty sleep but WOW what a night it was so much fun. Today has been one of those mad non stop days dashing all over uni, to lectures, then a group work meeting and a course committee meeting and then a quick dash home to shower and scrub up before jumping on the tube to meet everyone at the launch. Ended up running late because the wonderful transport in London is so volatile that every 5mins we had to stop and wait due to signalling problems but we made it to Livrpool Street. There were 8 Volunteers including myself and the venue was this beautiful Church that is now an art gallery. Its called Wallspace and its at All Hallows on the Wall.

www.wallspace.org.uk

It was the perfect location!!

My job was to sell the books and yes we sold out!!! Whoop Whoop!!! There were over 100 guests in total and I spoke to some really interesting people (everyone thought I worked for the publisher, hehe) but this did prompt some very interesting conversations. There was live music and dancing and we can't forget the wine!!

The feed back was great and if you are looking for an interesting and stimulating read I would highly recommend this book, available on Amazon and check out the website:

www.isgodstillanenglishman.com

and if you need more persuading then google it and read the comments on the Guardian website!!!

.... need I say more!! Apart from the night was rounded off in style at good old Macedees!!!

Bedtime I think - sweet dreams - B x

Thinking of your Future in PR

2010-04-20T12:24:00.003+01:00

I was just reading the updated PR Couture posts and came across this interview (seemed very interesting) and then spotted this link to a website called Vox-Pop! It's a careers website for young PR's - Jackpot!! So if you are thinking of a career in the PR industry you can browse away and get some idea of what the future holds for you.... another great website to look at for career prospects is PR Week, this is a great source for all PR news as well so you can stay updated and on the ball. Check them out on the links below:

http://www.vox-pop.co.uk/2010/04/16/7-questions-crosby-noricks-founder-of-pr-couture-com/

http://www.prweek.com/uk/home/

Bex x

Is God still an Englishman? by Cole Moreton

2010-04-15T22:16:00.005+01:00

http://colemoreton.wordpress.com/

Woman's hour

2010-04-15T00:18:00.012+01:00

The first thing that we were told at school was to start reading newspapers. Any newspapers, just to see how they write, what their agenda is, who they are targeting and maybe to find the right one for each of us. For me as a foreigner it was not easy from the beginning to read about politicians that I never heard off before and who seemed very boring to me. Frankly, sometimes I had to force myself to cary on reading a long and boring article about someone important just to have an idea of what is going on in politics ... also the headlines do not make sense to me sometimes, because they are written in a form of english expressions that you normally do not come across....maybe they are very old fashioned or poetic ....

BUT

... I have found something that helped me to better understand a lot about this country, their legacy and rules and most importantly I have found myself enjoying one of the "media" that we were advised to listen to...and that is the Woman's hour!

The first thing that came to my mind when I listened to one of the presenters (Jane Murray and Jane Garvey), was my childhood. The program is only spoken, there are no songs unless they have a musician as a guest. It reminded me of myself sitting at a table in my house in Slovakia, playing a game or painting something, my mum cooking in the kitchen and the radio is on... beautiful memories....
On their website they say that the programm is celebrating, informing and entertaining women and in my opinion the show is increadibely funny and very educational. They cover everything from cooking, museums and exhibitions to politics and life stories of very interesting people, most of them are women.
The program is on the BBC4 daily at 10am but because of the time I can not listen to it live so sometimes I listen to all of the series from that week in one row, sipping my cup of tea and doing some cross-stitching (that sounds so weird, but I really do enjoy cross- sittching) :))
Lately I was very interested in the talk about internships and the sometimes unfair treating of students and was very drawn into the debate. I am also currently doing an Internship at a London PR agency and could agree with a lot of the points that were made during the show.

This friday Jenni Murray is going to interview one of my favorite actress Kim Cattrall from Sex and the City so tune in with me and enjoy the show.

Hana xxx

PR COUTURE

2010-04-12T17:46:00.004+01:00

http://www.prcouture.com/2010/04/08/pr-coutures-crosby-noricks-wins-blogger-of-the-year/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+prcouture/HhBg+(PR+COUTURE)

I have been following a Fashion PR Blog for sometime now, in fact it is the first blog that I ever signed up to follow many years ago. Now admittedly I don't generally read it every time a notification comes into my email account that there is a new post to read, as you don't always have the time, but this one caught my eye and I thought maybe I could learn something from this blogger of the year winner!!

Have a gander yourselves, not only is the content interesting (Bags, shoes, fashion.... uuuummmm) they have a lot of popular articles that are worth checking out about social media, internships, working for yourself, tweeting - the works so if you have a few mins on your hands I think its well worth a quick scan..... Bex x

Some more Gold Dust

2010-04-09T14:38:00.003+01:00

So it's a Friday afternoon and I am catching up on all the media that I have missed over this week and I came across this website. I actually found it on my twitter feed as another PR Company made reference to it but it is a fantastic article about getting coverage for your story/client, have you got a strong enough angle etc.... If you actually then go on to their website that have several PR articles with tips in them well worth a gander my friends.... Enjoy reading Bex x

http://www.72point.com/blog/all-your-eggs-in-one-basket/

From my experience

2010-04-07T12:03:00.004+01:00

http://http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/wheretostart/maturestudents
If you are looking to return to education and further your career prospects I would seriously advise you to look at what UCAS offers on their website, they were invaluable to me when I was conducting initial research into making that transistion back into student life. As a mature student you look for certain criteria when applying to further your education; namely which course, at which institution will give me the best chance of getting onto the higher earning platform. For me it was which institution will give me the best degree in the field that I want to work in and is recognised by the industry as such.

As mature students we are more focussed on the quality of the degree that we will walk away with, we understand the finiancial implication of returning to education but we are certainly more able to apply ourselves to the course knowing exactly what we want to achieve and where we want to be in three years time.

The advantage of being a mature student is that you already have your A-level results so I was given my offers very quickly. Only one institution withheld their offer until I had attended an interview, that University was The University of Westminster. This gave them more credability in my mind as not only did they want to interview me and speak to me about the course it gave me a chance to check them out. Never forget that this is a two way street and should be treated as a business transaction you are paying your money (and will be paying it back over many years to come in exchange for the best degree that you can get) It is really, really important to meet your prospective tutors and to talk face to face about what the course will offer you, the content and the calibre of the teaching staff at the University. You need to find the best university for you and your needs and this will be different for everyone but you need to find a place where you will be happy for the next 3 years of your life. If no interview is offered I would highly recomend visiting the university on an open day or making your own appointment to visit. I was offered a place at The London College of Communciation as well and went down on one of their open days to meet the course leader and have a tour of the campus and I was really dissappointed. The tutor was new to the course and had little knowledge of how the education system worked, having never taught before but was fuelled by his claim of having been the person behind creating the radio one DJ/personality Chris Moyles. I then sat through a presentation in their auditorium where I felt completley patronised sitting their as a mature student and being talked down to about how this was no longer schoool and you wouldn't be mollie coddled but need to be independant and self motivated to be able to achieve results (REALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????WELL I NEVER!!!!) Do not be put off but remember that any University talk you go to will be geared for 18 year olds leaving college or sixth form, as they are the majority intake. Looking deeper than that at the course content and if you can imagine yourself in the enviroment for the next couple of years.

I hope this helps anyone who is looking at the moment for places to study but have to say it is the best choice I ever made and the course has met my expectations so it really does pay to take the time to do that little bit extra research and if you have any questions about my expirience I would be happy to answer them.

Happy University hunting - Bex xx

P.S I moved City to go to my chosen place of study and yes it was tough and it took awhile to settle in, particularly as I had a whole network of friends and work colleagues etc.... in my home town and I questioned my choice for ages. Even to the point where I was going to settle on a course I didn't really want to do so as to avoid all of the upheval, it can be really daunting but don't be lazy really push yourself out of your comfort zone because trust me only good can come from it - THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER...... xx

Something I stumbled across...

2010-04-07T11:32:00.006+01:00

http://stedavies.com/2008/03/where-are-all-the-student-pr-bloggers/

Check out this blog entry - now OK it might be a little old BUT... very interesting content. The repetition of "Content is KING" an saying that was initially told to us by Don't Panic PR!! So... maybe there is some truth in it!!

This particular blog is a great reference for all budding PR bloggers and wannabe Gurus of the industry. Hope it helps Bex xx

Going Home for Easter......

2010-04-06T15:46:00.005+01:00

The Theatre was indeed fabulous, I love the theatre it is such a magical place but this particular show was incredible. Before it started I was wondering how on earth they were going to be able to translate a story about a business disaster onto the stage. But they did and it was fantastic and thanks to Hana and her friend Tom who was in the play we had really, really good seats. I could go on and on about the play but what I wanted to blog about today was my Easter....

I have just been home for 5 days to catch up with friends and family and I realised that I haven't seen them for 3 months. You get so caught up in student life and the day to day running of your life that time passes really quickly!!! I mean we've nearly finished our first year at Uni now that is crazy!!!! As you know I am a mature student and I have lived away from home before but coming to University is different. You are moving to another different city where you make new friends, have to fend for yourself, decide which parties you go to, when to study, when to shop. There is also so much going on in London that it has been very hectic and then the week before I left for Bristol it suddenly hit.... the deep pang of homesickness!!!! It had been so long and I felt really stupid because you think pull yourself together you're old enough to sort yourself out and not get upset. Going back though was exciting but also shows you who your real friends are and who are just acquaintances, you see all of your friends carrying on with their lives, drinking in the same bars, going to the same restaurants and old haunts and you have missed out but they are not part of your new life. It was all very strange, nothing had changed in Bristol but everything had changed with me. It gives you a new perspective on things. I think this is one of the hardest things about moving away for University, you expect to be able to carry on both lives and its not possible and if this is hard for me as a 26 year old how tough must it be for 18year olds. The only difference is that as I had worked in Bristol for 8 years before moving to University, I had a whole network of friends set up. My best friends and my school friends, and 18 year olds don't have that they move to Uni to find that network of friends.

So if you are reading this and you are thinking of returning to education and you are ready to take the plunge I would say it is the best decision that I have ever made but be prepared for the tough times. The feeling slightly in limbo and slightly lost, the weekend was amazing and it was so good to see all of my best friends again. It was a non-stop weekend of eating, drinking, laughing and catching up I am shattered now but I am looking forward to catching up with my London PR friends and finding out what they have been up to .......!!!! Bye for Now Bex xxxx

The magic world of Theatre.

2010-04-03T12:44:00.012+01:00

I think that I have mentioned it before but I will say it again....I LOVE THEATRE!!
I love looking at the tickets before I enter the building....smelling them...... so many people around me...they are filled with excitement as I am..... I am stepping into the great "chamber".... so old and marked with so many performances.... I am shivering with excitement and wish for the lights to go off so the show can begin... everyone is quiet in a seconds and I wait for the music..... MUSIC ....my only drug....but very addictive one...I do not think that I will ever be able to get sober from..... and I do not want to.... that is the magic of it.....

The ENRON (The inside story of one of history's greatest business scandals, in which top executives of America's seventh largest company walked away with over one billion dollars, while investors and employees lost everything) begins and i sink deeper into my chair and absorb the story happening in front of me.... My eyes are fixed on my friend Tom Godwin who is one of the traders but throughout the show I could see him acting as a lot of other persons. He was totally great and funny !!

I was quite wondering how the story that is all about money and business will be presented. I have seen the movie before and already new what will happen but I really wanted to see it in a theatre. It is just unbelievable how smart some people are and what they can achieve... it is also frightening to see how far they are willing to go and the disastrous ending just left me to realise how little I know about this world and how much I have to learn. Somethimes when I hear or see stories like Enron It makes me feel so small...

After the show my friend Tom took us backstage and showed us how things work, who operates what and we have discovered that tiny little space were so many people have to move so fast and without any noise.... It was quite shocking!
I just could not resist to try that big mouse head on and let me tell you...it is soo heavy!!!! being an actor is not only mentally hard but also physically.... would you think that all the actors have to be fit??? Quite frankly, I did not.... but again there are so many things that I do not know about.... ;))))

Me and my friends really enjoyed the show and had a long talk about it.... we tried to find the answer if any PR working for ENRON new about what was happening inside the company and discussed it in a lovely restaurant after the show.

There is something about Theatre.... it is all so magical for me... I can see why people want to become actors and sacrifice everything to their passion...
If I could choose I would definitely prefer MUSICALS.... I used to sing when I was little and my friends still tell me that I have a good voice.... I also used to dance and my last experience was at the Greenwich dance academy where I took street dance lessons.... well I have to admit that I am not as good in dance as I would like to be.... still have latino dance on my list.... hopefully will try it one day... and pole dancing....I wanted to try it for years and that I DEFINITELY will ...... one day..... ;))

The Fantom of the Opera was also on my list for a very long time and finally I can tick that one off.... It will be mine birthday present.... It couldn't be easier for my friends to know what I like...... I am already dreaming about the ticket in my hand...the beautiful hall and so many people....and the MUSIC.......

Hana xxx

The promised Radio show with me and Becky!!!

2010-04-02T12:43:00.001+01:00

Easter Break

2010-03-30T12:43:00.005+01:00

So what does a PR Girl do when she is not nose to the grindstone studying??? We have broken up from Uni for a 3 week Easter break - whoop whoop!!! This also explains the lack of posting, we've been slacking I'm sorry.

BUT.... What exciting adventures have we been having... last week we trooped down to the Victoria and Albert Museum, I love living in London! The best thing is that the museum is free, so we had a gander at the art work, most of the exhibitions were closed though due to a strike that was taking place that day, this is the disadvantages of living in London!!!!! Then we walked around South Kensington and Hana took me to the treasure trove that is TK MAX!!! WOW The bags, oh the beautiful bags and so cheap!!! I was in heaven!!! The TK Max in Bristol is not very good which is why I was so surprised at the amazing bargains we found!!!! Handbags are a girls best friend and shoes of course.

Hana has managed to get us tickets to see Enron which is showing at the Noel Coward Theatre. The play is a must see for all you PR enthusiasts and Practitioners to be. The reviews have been great but the best bit is that Hana has pulled a few strings and called in a favour and Wham Bam we will be going back stage after the performance to meet the cast!!! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited, hob nobbing with the celebrities!!! She happens to know one of the cast and arranged the tickets through him so it should be a really good day. We are watching the matinee performance and then will be partaking in the obligatory cocktails and vino after of course....

Anyhowz Hana is currently cooking me lunch it is so nice I am being spoilt!!! It smells amazing... so Dobru Chut my darlings!!!!

FIT BALL EXERCISE REALLY WORKS!!

2010-03-19T15:16:00.004Z

I am in pain!! My body is aching today but you know what they say.... no pain, no gain!!! The Fitball Fundraiser was great fun and really glad we got involved and got up at the crack of dawn!! Oh yes 5am wake up call and on the tube by 6 - I have never been on the tube at that time in the morning before. One extremely strong coffee and we were helping the PR Team unpack boxes of T.shirts and balls and getting people to sign disclaimers. Thanks goodness for strong coffee it was my saviour!!! It was such a great atmosphere though and so well organised by the PR Team from Pegasus. Oh and the perk is that I got to keep my ball so I can keep fit at home..... I'll keep you updated on whether that actually ever happens!!!

Simplyhealth Fitball Breast Cancer Campaign

2010-03-18T17:08:00.003Z

An evening with the Drama Society - presenting Closer

2010-03-16T15:09:00.004Z

It was a PR Class outing, we met on campus and headed to Area 51, the student bar, where the Drama Society are putting on their latest production, Closer by Patrick Marber. Closer is a powerful portrayal of sex, relationships and the concept of love and WOW they were truly fabulous!! Particularly the ladies, really strong performances and some really hot talent!!! I love going to the theatre it is one of the perks of studying in London as there is always so much going on and so many new shows popping up all the time. Being a student its quite handy because we do get discounted tickets as well - another perk that I love taking full advantage of.

Going back to our evening at the theatre I was so impressed with the work that had been put into creating the performance considering as well that all of the cast and crew are full time students and no doubt have deadlines looming as we are nearing the Easter Break. Andre Walker created some stunning visual effects I particularly liked the scene when the two male characters, Dan and Larry, were talking online and they recreated the effect using two laptops and a projector so you could see the conversation appearing in real time!!! FANTASTIC!!!

So over to you Hana.... what did you think? Very erotic as well......

I am a big theatre fan and could not miss this show. It is fantastic to see new talents doing what they love and giving them the support they need and also deserve. Live performance has got such a magic in it and I love the possibility to become one of the characters for just a short time... I get very drawn into every story and CLOSER was no exception. One minute I was a stripper (Alice) and the other I was the broken - hearted Anna. It must be great but also very exhausting to be an actress and act as another character, feeling their emotions and Closer is such an intimate and challenging play...but that is the art of acting and maybe I should learn it so I can be a successful PR practitioner... hahaha the art of deception!!!!

It's that time again....

2010-03-14T17:33:00.003Z

It has been a busy weekend!! Deadlines, Deadlines and more deadlines - its a juggling act!!! Had to work this weekend as well and today is mothers day - not to be forgotten!! My mum is in Bristol though and I did get a card to her in the post!! My brother is cooking for her which will be nice and I have promised her that next time she comes up to London to visit I'm going to treat her to a theatre show. That is one of the wonderful thing about living in the Big Smoke there is so much to see and do that you can never get bored. There is always a new show to see, a new band, a different restaurant to try - the world is indeed your oyster here and I have fallen in love with the city!! Studying PR here at the University of Westminster I am based on the Harrow Campus which is actually in North Harrow, Middlesex, so people do argue that I am not aloud to say I live in London (but its certainly closer than Bristol and only 20 mins on the Met line to Baker Street) I actually really like it here. It's not too crazy, I can walk to my campus and Harrow-on-the-hill is nearby and that is a really cute, posh area of London with the private boys school, very affluent!!! Sometimes Central London can get quite crazy so I like the peace and quiet of living slightly further away. I went shopping on Oxford Street on Thursday with a friend and the place was heaving!! Late night Shopping but it was great to be able to shop and then head for some sushi and a few G&T's before jumping on the tube home!!

But I have once again gone off on a tangent, I was actually on here to inform you all that I will once more be live on air tomorrow on smoke radio and this week I am interviewing The Universities Dance Society!!!! I wish I could dance, maybe I need to take it up. I like watching all the street dancers and movies like Step Up, now that would make for a very cool PR Stunt indeed!!!

So hopefully you will be listening and please do get in touch if you have any questions....

Take it easy B xx

A day at the University of Westminster

2010-03-12T15:06:00.002Z

Is it a blog? or a website? or something else?

2010-03-12T13:39:00.009Z

What is this Digital PR actually about???

This module was designed to help us to explore how on-line media can be used to further PR goals. It teaches us how we can produce high quality digital public communications.

We know that the most essential skill is creativity.

This blog, that we have started as a part of our University project, is our creative way of understanding digital PR and whilst we are still learning from it. It is a lot of fun to write about what we do and what we learn but the main point is to raise our profile to the public. That is a task that will not be easily done but Bex and I will try our best!

Yesterday Darika Ahrens ( http://www.grapevine-consulting.com/ ) came to talk to us about Advanced Social Media Tactics and I have really enjoyed her presentation.

For us, as a first year students, is very important to know which blogs are worth looking at, what websites may have the right content that can help us to understand the media better.

Darika went straight to the point and had our full attention. We have learnt how important it is to have a linkedin profile, if not right now, definitely for the future when we graduate. She showed us some useful blogs and gave us ideas how to improve our own blogs and websites that we work on.

The importance of Facebook and Twitter is also something to consider and pay attention to.

There is so much to learn and so little time.. don't get me wrong I d enjoy it .... I am just trying to say that I would be happy to learn more and know more, spend more time with people who know what they are talking about. I would prefer more lectures and more talks...but as I said...there is not enough time... so if you know about an interesting website or blog please let us know! ...we will definitely look at it and comment.

Off to blog a little on the Guardian website and Tweet a bit more ..... I am really getting into this Hana xx

What an eventful day!!!

2010-03-10T23:02:00.002Z

What a day indeed!! Wednesday is our media and society lecture and class seminar, the discussions today were based around the influence of the media on us as consumers. The best example was that of the video gaming industry - class debate was based around consoles such as the Play Station 3, and how with the advances in technology you can now play on-line with others gamers from all over the world. I personally believe that this is a negative force on young people as they are becoming more and more recluse. I believe that we are creating on-line worlds in which people never need to have contact with and deal with people on a one to one basis and that will lead to a very lonely world.

The other angle which sparked much debate in class was about the violence in the games that are on the market. Does this encourage a generation of people who believe that violence is therefore acceptable as they are encouraged through gaming to shoot, fight and beat people up? There are surveys that show that this can be potentially very harmful in particular to young children. But keeping an open and critical mind here (a tool we are being taught in class, essentially when examining the media) can you believe these surveys? Where was the data collected from? How reliable is it? The latest crime statistic state that crime is currently at its lowest? Many questions and what I am learning is that there is always data out there that can back your case whatever your opinion so my advice is research and keep an open mind with everything you see, read and hear!!!

There is a little mid-week food for thought.....!

Following this I had a meeting with the head of events from the Smoke Radio Team here at the University of Westminster and we are looking at collaborating on some events in the very near future - its all very exciting but early days as yet so I will have to keep you in the dark but watch this space!!!!!

I also borrowed some very fancy technical radio recording equipment from the University so tomorrow Hana and I will be recording an interview with Cole Morton after our class, I am very excited about this!!! He has had an exciting and colourful career in the world of journalism from what I gather, two books under his belt and one more being released in April. I am looking forward to picking his brain and finding out his tips on how to succeed in this media world that I am so desperate to crack in to!!! I will endeavour to have the interview posted asap here for you to listen to, so you can stay in the loop.

Eventful day was finished by surprise call from my brother saying he was in London after a job interview and would I like to meet for a few beers before he heads back to the Bristol!!! Fan-dabi-dozy!!!! Great to see him and catch up, albeit rather brief!!

Roll on tomorrow.................... B x

Study Bolsters Blog-Related PR Practices - ClickZ

2010-03-10T17:33:00.000Z

Study Bolsters Blog-Related PR Practices - ClickZ

Get Media Savvy

2010-03-10T17:20:00.008Z

It is here in black and white folks!!! Spread the word Bex x

http://www.marketingcharts.com/interactive/study-new-pr-hires-must-blog-tweet-use-socnets-10144/

Radio experience...

2010-03-08T21:48:00.005Z

uff ...it's done.... wow
That was absolutely amazing - and again I have to use these words..seems they are my two favourite ones because I use them a lot when I speak and as I listened to the interview again at home, in peace and quiet, I could hear myself saying them again and again.
I guess that I can get overwhelmed very easily, but I think that all the time something is happening that makes me want to say 'absolutely amazing'. That is a good sign, right?
I really enjoyed the show and I was surprised how much fun it actually is. Becky was so supportive and I would love to thank her for that!... and her voice ..OMG.. she was born for radio! don't you think ?? ;))
....Hana xx

SO..... Tired

2010-03-08T00:33:00.006Z

OK Guys, its late its been a long day so you may ask why am I on-line blogging to you, after such a horrible and tedious shift at work?? It is a simple answer...... I am so excited about the radio show tomorrow that I thought I would celebrate by coming home and having a few glasses of vino with my flat mate whilst planning all of the wonderful questions that I can interrogate Hana with tomorrow on the show..... hehe, it's naughty I know!!! and then I thought why not scribble down a quick post. So I urge you if you read this before mid-day tomorrow - tune in to www.smokeradio.co.uk and click on listen live!!!! I hope to have a 2hour show tomorrow as there is so much to cram in and its all going to be very exciting. So if you have any questions that you would like to ask me you can email the show by writing on the website, emailing or texting whilst I am on air!!! Look forward to hearing from you.

MWAH Bex xx

Smoke radio show tomorrow @ 1pm!!

2010-03-07T11:53:00.004Z

I am going to be live on air tomorrow at 1pm!!! ...so excited!!.... Becky's show 'What's going on' will be my first ever radio experience. So tune in and listen to what I have to say about studying in London and my experience as a mature student. Hear you soon..... Hana xx

Content is KING!

2010-03-06T17:53:00.004Z

OK, I have been lax guys as this post refers to our digital PR seminar on Thursday but being a student I have been earning my crust in my part-time job. So.... We met this guy called Joe from Don't Panic!!! If you are a current student or have studied before you may well have seen the brown envelopes that you find in pubs, bars and other student hangouts and on Campus. Well he is the man behind those fabulous packages crammed full of advertising and sweeties!!! That is how he started his company, by producing these promotional packages!! He is a Guru that we can indeed learn from!! So I thought I would post some tips from the man himself:

1. Know the media!! What is in the headlines, what is going on in the world - keep up to date!!!

2. PR Week and Media Guardian and The Today Show (Radio 4) - Read and listen and absorb!!

3. Look at the Power List of top people in the media and get to know what they do etc...

and last but most certainly not least.... in fact I believe that this was the most important message of all that he told us....

CONTENT IS KING!!

No matter how good your plan is if the content is not there then it will never be a success.

His company now make viral ads which are posted on You Tube etc... some fantastic stuff, many of the videos are controversial and can be found through his website www.dontpaniconline.com I urge you to check them out. Very, Very Funny stuff and their website is jammed packed with information about everything that they are and have been involved with.

That concludes my entry and update!!! BUT one final exciting event - I have the pleasure and fantastic opportunity through The University of Westminster to present my own Radio Show!! Oh Yeah - it is pretty cool and this Monday I will be interviewing the beautiful and very sexy Hana, my fellow blogger!! So if you are by a laptop or a pc at Noon, that is 12 O'clock, on 8th March 2010 go to www.smokeradio.co.uk and listen live. I am on for one hour and will also be interviewing the President of the Dance and Drama Society about their up coming production of the fabulously saucy 'Closer' most well known for the steamy, sensuous film staring Clive Owen, Jude Law and Julia Roberts!!!

Ciao for Now Bex xx

Cole Morton's brain-teasing lesson

2010-03-04T13:06:00.008Z

What a debate we've had with Cole Morton http://colemoreton.wordpress.com/ who wanted us to express our views about the way journalists think and work. We were making up a story to be published in the Daily Mail and let me tell you, the decisions were not easy... I know this was a scenario that does not happen every day but still....

We know that the relationship between PR and journalists is one of love and hate and we've learnt that PR have to fight a long and hard battle to get what they want into the papers.......that is what it means to 'sleep with the enemy'...
P.S. off to the Digital PR lesson...Hana xx

Class Begins

2010-03-04T09:51:00.002Z

It's bright and early and we are sat in the classroom waiting for the lecture to begin.... today is all about Attracting Media Attention and Cole Morton, esteemed journalist and honorary lecture for this term, will be talking about "Sleeping with the enemy" I am intrigued.... and will update shortly on what this entails exactly..... Bex

We finally made it!

2010-03-03T14:25:00.003Z

Today is a very special day for us because we have finally started our long awaited blog... woop woop

We will be bringing you all the exciting information and gossip from the world of a current PR students.