The Big One

Just like that, I am already on my third blog and after this, I am all done. All the more reason to make this entry an exciting one.

Usually it is hard to see ourselves and how much we’ve grown in a certain area or field unless our so-called progress is put to the test. For me, that test had a name: Martha Tilaar Salon Day Spa Medan Grand Opening. I could say that this test really was a reflection on how much I had grown in the field of PR in Martha Tilaar. This particular event was trusted onto me by Dian. She told me that she thinks I can run and arrange this event so that Martha Tilaar’s dissemination of information can be effective. Before I keep going, let me fill you in on the situation.

Martha Tilaar does not just cover cosmetics and beauty products. Martha Tilaar is a company that cares about peace of mind and body. This can be seen through one of Martha Tilaar’s sub-companies, Martha Tilaar Salon Day Spa (MTSDS). MTSDS is pretty self-explanatory. It is a spa that not just relaxes the body, but also the mind. Using organic ingredient, MTSDS’s way of approach really coincides with Martha Tilaar’s whole outlook on nature. This time though, Martha Tilaar has plans to open MTSDS in Medan, due to popular demands by the people of Medan.

When Dian briefed me on the event that was about to launch, I had no idea that I would have to do it alone. Aside from disseminating Press Releases, I would have to send invitations to the media in Medan. A total of 10 media outlets should be there to cover the story on MTSDS’s Grand Opening, while attacking the right demographic after the story is published by the media. To top it off, it didn’t help that Medan is far. Really far. So far, that it is literally on another island (Sumatra). This means that I won’t be able to contact the media face-to-face. Everything has to be done by the internet. Despite all the obstacles, I decided that this really is the last challenge.

I had approximately one week to research for local TV stations, local radio stations, local newspapers, and local magazines that would fit the demographic of people that would be interested in spas and such. In that same week, I must also disseminate all the Press Releases to the media, formally inviting them to the event by sending invitations, and making sure that I have their confirmation. This was crucial. And all of this has to be done over the phone or the internet. This issue brought up another characteristic flaw that I have towards the job: temper.

First of all, I don’t like getting rejected. Second, I hate waiting. Third, I absolutely loathe talking over the phone. I know the third one sound kind of weird but hey, some people can’t ride bikes, I can’t formally talk over the phone. I’ll be honest; this was the toughest week I’ve ever had during this internship.

Despite the frustration, I just kept at it until finally all the media had confirmed their attendance, consisting of the right media for focusing on people that are into spas and relaxation for an effective dissemination of information. Despite being the person that put it all together, I was not able to fly off to Medan to see the grand opening itself. Instead, Miss Erli went to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

When Miss Erli came back from Medan, she came up to my cubicle and said:

Miss Erli:         “Freddy! Good job on making the Grand Opening of MTSDS Medan such a success. There were a lot of positive feedbacks about the event, and the response from the media was great. Some of them were asking for you, since you were their contact person”.

At that point, I knew that I had passed the test. At that point, I can see the progress. Comparing this to my first day in Martha Tilaar, I’ve realized that I have learnt so much through this internship program. I was no longer that confused, nervous, new guy, not knowing what to do. I have done what I came here to do, which is to grow.

One more post left.

At this point, I really don’t feel like leaving.