Inevitably Grey

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What I did for the week:

1. Competitive analysis for client Lasalle
2. Deliver the Sacoor Brothers' pin for ambassadors: The client wanted the ambassadors to wear the brand's pin on its clothing but things cropped up. Hence, the manager made a quick decision to deliver it manually without troubling the shop assistant. 
3. Transcript focus group responses for client Ferrero Rocher
4. Edited Harry's Bar PR proposal
5. Prepare QATAR Airways' PR presentation slides to be presented before the client
6. Sat through internal meetings with different departments and CEOs to discuss what can be done for QATAR Airways and Pind Balluchi
7. Construct a mindmap for Tanzania to allow a better understanding before coming out with PR strategy for client
8. Meet up with fashion stylists, actors, brand ambassadors, fashion bloggers and fashion magazine editors 

What I'd learnt:

• Competitive analysis are often done before PR ideas could be formed. Hence, it is not just for marketing purposes. 
• Some of the competitors need more publicity to be done because the brand awareness is poor. 
• Public Relations practitioners need to be spontaneous, take initiative and always have stakeholders in mind.
• Perfect is never perfect so editing is common.
• Sitting through meetings are not just about witnessing the entire communication and execution process. Speak up when needed. 
• The CEOs also lead the team by being involved in sharing of ideas and not just demand what they want. <- Good attribute
  

Keeping this short because I’d like to talk about handling office politics.

Politics is everywhere.

There will always be people who like and dislike you even if it is for some reasons you do not know or because you are close to people they do not fancy.

But whatever.

The key is to ignore. Do not confront unless it is necessary. 

In public relations, we learn about handling issues before it turns into crisis. 

Gossips are like issues except that sometimes that issue is not with you.

“So, you’re telling me that I can’t be too close to some people in the office?”

“So, you’re telling me I fancy someone just because we are seen discussing about work o having lunch together?”

Ridiculous as it sounds but yes.

Be who you are, true to yourself and ignore the rest. 

Alike media, they are giving you publicity be it good or bad. 

Remember, "Any form of publicity is publicity itself". 

Don't be depressed. Tell yourself that they just want your attention or are just unhappy how you managed to gain liking from others.

My suggestion will be for them to look into their issues and manage it before it turns into crisis.

My thank you speech:

I am really grateful to have a manager that I can click with and given me plenty of opportunities. 

Our crazy self makes it easier for us to get along. 

Everyone craves for acceptance and we are all unique in our own ways. Therefore, I am glad that some people accept me for me. 

Throughout the months working, I'm thankful that I didn't leave Grey when I initially had nobody to report to. Many people suggested leaving because it did not allow me to fulfill my internship requirements. If I'd left, I wouldn't have met wonderful people who brighten up my internship days, be it an intern in the office, a cleaner, a production lady, a manager, account executives, account planners, receptionist or the creative head. The creative agency also allows me to further embrace my craziness and bring out a stronger me. 

I'm grateful for every opportunity I was given no matter how tough and time-consuming some of the tasks may be. I see it as a learning point and am genuinely appreciative. 

I guess the month of March tested my perseverance and patience in staying on and believing that miracles will happen. I was promised a manager in June but thankfully, my PR manager came in April. It was impromptu decision by the CEO. 

Everything is wonderful. Once again, I am thankful towards my colleagues who made my internship a really fruitful journey. If it were not because my manager is leaving, I'd have considered going back.

Thank you Grey Singapore for the employee welfare and chance to know lovely people. 

To mark the end of this journey, I shall share my internship motto:

"What has to be done needs to be done, regardless circumstances"

Unpredictably Grey

1st post
Grey Group – Famously Effective since 1917 

Fifty Shades of Grey?  

Nope, nope.  

No Christian Grey,  

No Anastasia Steele, 
Just Nicole Tay.

--- I guess interning at an advertising agency tells a lot 

Honestly, I couldn't get any more grateful when I knew I got through the interview. Everything was very much the first to me. 

1st time interning at an advertising agency 

1st time doing Public Relations work 

1st and only resume sent for the intern job  

1st time working in an industry with people from diverse culture  

1st exposure to abnormally normal doings 

There is nothing you can expect from a creative industry – not sure if it is good or bad! 

If you heard a loud commotion or the sudden blast of music, don’t worry child, things are still in good hands!  

With the constant drama, chaotic situation, and whatever you can name……….

Welcome to the advertising world!  

These are some of our clients 

My first season, episode one, starts off with familiarizing with past campaigns and sitting through internal meetings regarding the Sacoor Brothers’ Spring Summer Collection. 

Somehow, downloading of press releases and media monitoring for Sacoor Brothers and any print articles featuring Grey, seems never-ending.  

Other than that, I was trying my best to adapt to this new environment…  

Entering the office to find a rolling chair on the table with a soccer ball on it.  

Exactly what I meant by it’s really abnormally normal here! Oh, and by the way, colleagues do bring their “homes” to work too. I swear I was trying not to be surprised to find mountain bikes in office or worried about my safety when a Frisbee or a soccer ball flew across the office after 6pm.  

Contrary to the Curtin's professional public relations' corporate attire standards, I'm actually allowed to attend work in "beachwear", shorts and slippers unless I'm meeting the client. 
Generally, the people here do have their own unique fashion sense and are into trends, turning up in bright Neon colours clothing/hair and constantly dressing up the "wild" and "wow" way. 

Summing it up: Freedom, without much constraint, does encourage creativity. 

*** Emotional aspect ***

During that period of time, my Public Relations manager was pregnant and had plans to return to Australia in weeks’ time to settle down. The news came so sudden that I'd no time to respond.......

my world just toppled down.  

I was lost.    

But well, life goes on with or without disappointments. 

I was then made to temporary report to the accounts director and help one of the account servicing teams with QATAR Airways and UD Trucks (formerly known as Nissan Diesel) presentation slides.  

It was tedious but I get to perfect my creation of the presentation slides, get used to the corporate world and learn how to prepare for pitches. It also involves media monitoring for the client. 

Soon, I was made to report directly to the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) for guidance regarding PR work........

Thanks for all that patience.

That’s all for now. Shall explain about how that arrangement came about in the next post. 

Supporting the client's brand! Haha

P.S Into the "Wow-derness" I roam, I shall survive! 

Nicole Tay Swee Ying

15659879

Bachelor of commerce (Marketing and Public Relations), Curtin Singapore