Soaking up the reality of the real PR world

Hello everyone!

This is my first post as I have only recently completed my first full working week with Devahasdin Communications, a consultancy based in West Perth. For those of you who do not know me I am in my 3rd year of a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Public Relations, with plans to graduate at the end of this semester. I have previously studied Creative Advertising and Graphic Design, and aim to finish the last couple of units of this degree sometime in the future. My desire to work with a consultancy, and consequently, Devahasdin Communications, stemmed from wanting to gain experience in a team environment where I would be able to experience the application of public relations practices, tools, theories and activities across a number of client industries. My experiences thus far have definitely fulfilled this initial aim.

I was attracted to Devahasdin because they have a great range of clients from a myriad of industries; everything from retail to government, hospitality and tourism to health (to name a few). On my first day I was a combination of nerves and excitement – it was stimulating to be out of the classroom and in the ‘real-world’.

So far I have worked on tasks for a number of clients including Kate Morgan Weight Loss Program, Adventure World, Storm the Stage, Rosendorff/Tudor watches and WineCow. These tasks have included updating databases, brainstorming creative strategies, helping with event preparation and writing newsletters and promotion briefs, one of which was featured on PerthNow. Thus far I have had a valuable mantra reaffirmed that will stay with me throughout my career in public relations. This being – know the industry! I should add to this that it pays not only to know the industry but also to stay abreast of who’s acquainted with whom and how particular companies orient themselves in relation to their competitors, their affiliates and their partners in detail. This may seem fairly obvious, but I am learning that sometimes the specifics of each industry are a lot more in-depth than they first appear.

This lesson extends to being able to name everything from your media, personality and partnership possibilities to caterers, venues, seasonal holidays, festivals and options for music/entertainment (particularly for events) off the top of your head, so to speak. One of my highlights to date has been observing these talents in the Devahasdin team following a presentation by an affiliate seeking the help of Devahasdin Communications. Watching the team bounce ideas off one another and brainstorm a number of media and promotional opportunities in a matter of minutes validated all that group work we have been doing throughout our studies and drove home the importance of storing every little piece of information you can in your creative little head. Basically, you need to be a sponge – soak it all up.

On that note, I hope everyone is enjoying their placements so far as much as I am and thanks for reading!
Meg Klymiuk