Interpretations

I've had this on my mind for a while. Communication is so important amongst individuals and between an organisation and it's publics, which include employees, stakeholders, the government. There is always a source and based on the model of communication used (one-way or two way), the audience is fed and feedback may or may not be received.
The way an individual interprets information is influenced by various things such as: background (moral conditioning), personality of the individual which is formed from their background and experiences, education, belief system, the environment (the culture and attitudes of a person's environment affects their world view). Hence,what a person says or does can be interpreted in many different ways by other individuals based on what they've been conditioned to understand. Some people use denotative (dictionary) meanings of words to apply meanings to statements, some the connotative, (images or associations created in the mind of the receiver). It is so important, especially for organisations to communicate with people on their different levels by understanding their value system first.

Social marketing

Selling/marketing ideas, attitudes and behaviours does seem a bit abstract, however that is social marketing for you.

Unlike product marketing where the profit is for the marketer, social marketing seeks to benefit the target audience and general society based on stated objectives.

I loved my NGO classes, I got first hand insight on campaign issues. I often wonder about originality of a change idea though. There is so much going on in the world, that deciding what needs to change at any point in time is not as seamless as it seems. It goes without saying that deciding what to change arises from a problem that affects a majority.

Whatever the change needed, there is no denying the power of coalitions and influencers. How else can those group of people that always 'wonder what happened' make a decision?

There must be clarity of the change and outcome expected to be achieved.

The great thing about social marketing is it's use of two way communication. The needs/values of the targeted audience have to be listened to in order to effect change.

Crisis Management

As in everyday life where the unexpected happens, organisations are often hit with situations which are not foreseen. It could range from industrial accidents, product recall to natural calamity.

An organisation that has an established team of leaders who deal with crisis will proactively forecast potential crisis that may arise from it's operations. There is a strong focus on PR to recover any damage to public image.

Panic and placing blame would seem like a normal first reaction. However, expressing apology to the people concerned should be the first action in a crisis. There are different scenarios in a crisis situation and it is so important to look at issues from all sides. It is also important to have an already established framework of leadership in place to handle crisis situations.

Alagse-a group of management practitioners who promote thought leadership look at leadership framework for crisis.

Global PR

It may sound such a cliche to say the world is now a global village but it is. Technology has made it possible for fast communication whereby cultures are shared faster than ever before.

How does this internationalisation affect PR?

Harris Diamond-CEO of a well established PR organisation Weber Shandwick refers to globalisation as the growing interdependence and interconnectedness of the world- politically, militarily, economically or technologically.

International PR is used by businesses,multi national organisations, the third sector, even countries use PR to brand their image(country branding).

Simon Anholt's book:competitive identity is an authoritative new text on nation branding and public diplomacy

PR sectors in the international context may be adapted or standard e.g the messaging of a brand is mostly adapted to suit the country of which it is being promoted.The objectives of an organisation is mostly standard regardless of where the brand is being sold.

Internationalism of PR is complex. Different cultures interprete things in different ways. Some gestures mean one thing in one country and another in a different country. Also dynamics of cultures differ as regards relationships,rhetorical style,distribution of power etc.

It is important for a global organisation to have local interpretation of their messages. Global PR is a reality and if an organisation is to grow it has to interact with other countries without harming the interests of the host publics.

The Rise of CSR-Companies with a social conscience

Corporate social responsibility(CSR)describes the social role a company plays in society.

According to Adam Garfunkel, who spoke with us on CSR.
CSR is: What you do, how you do it and when and what you say about it. I agree that sums up CSR especially from a PR perspective.

It goes without saying that companies that are more people oriented are more profitable in the long run. The community in which a company is located is crucial because it supplies workforce, provides essential services and if angered can impose restraints on the company.

Moloney(2006)draws a distinction between CSR and philanthropy. According to him,while public relations draws attention to CSR activities to enhance an organisation's reputation,this goes against the private altruism of philanthropy.
I think CSR and philanthropy go hand in hand. If a company safeguards the environmental, social or even cultural aspects of it's community, it is looking after the best interests of the people: which is philanthropy.

Who sets the agenda for CSR activities within a company? I asked Adam how companies decide what they want to be socially responsible for. He said company's should form CSR activities according to their risks and not just jump on the bandwagon of what's going on in the media.

The government through company acts have enforced risk assessment for companies now, which will go a long way in companies taking CSR seriously.

Some companies have been quite smart and risen on the wave of their CSR activities to enhance their reputations,thus increasing their profit.

A glimpse of the runway-London fashion week

Karen Brost's collections Spring/Summer 2009

Fashion PR-vauxhall fashion show

On Friday the 23rd,feb(last week), I went for the live catwalk of the vauxhall fashion show with my fellow fashion PR mates.

It was awesome!

The vauxhall fashion organise a show for emerging fashion talents every year. It's founders are Martyn Roberts and John Walford.
John Walford has had years of experience in the fashion industry working with the likes of vivienne westwood,he was so kind to give us a lecture on the fashion industry and the role of PR a few days before the show.

A lot goes into the organisation of the shows, from invites, to sitting arrangements, to organising the photographers, models, designers etc. There are front and back house roles i.e if you work front house you would be expected to meet and greet and know who is who:journalists,sponsors, other PR people etc(although i daresay, it did seem a bit like there were no strict arrangements as regards who came in). According to my course mates who worked back house, their duties involved just about everything i.e putting goody bags together, to helping with the models etc,nothing like good hands on experience.

I sat for the very first and second shows by Julia smith and KANGst, they lasted about 20mins each and it was quite interesting to see the lovely designs on models on the catwalk up close. The photographers snapped away and the buyers in the front row were engrossed in every outfit.I took a few pictures myself.

The show was organised along side-London fashion week