Put a spin on it!

 Im more then half way through my internship and I have learnt that public relations requires you to be:

-Creative
-Efficient
-Effective
-Appealing

Now thats its easier said then done. Coming up with an original idea that know one has ever though of is really quite difficult, especially in public relation events.  However what is easier, is learning how to develop an existing idea and make it bigger and better then it was before. 

Interning at Momentum Forum Events has taught me to work with sources previously available and put an alternative spin on it.  Barbra my CEO is extremely good at developing contacts, sponsors and prizes  out of the original sources, which has obviously now rubbed off on me!

Another event I have been fortunate enough to work on is The Men in Black Ball for 2015. The Ball is a charity event in support of mens mental health. Just like other events Momentum Forum has hosted, this event also has a live auction to raise money for Momentum's charities.  Barbra required me and another intern to brainstorm a live auction prize that would be different to all the others.  However we had to use original contacts and relationships with businesses we already had developed. 

Barbra had received an offer from  The Gelati Family owners of Spud Shed in W.A. They said they would be willing to let people come and pick mangos off their mango field in exchange for exposure at the Ball. Hardly a glamorous auction prize right? Then a thought came to my mind. I thought back to the media releases and facts sheets I had prepared as part of my assessments for PR 250.  I had practiced writing  creative media releases for journalists from simple information.

I  suggested a Mango Race.  A race that would involved a group of 10 (Same size as the  guests tables at the ball) to race each other and pick as many mangos as they can. The person to pick the most Mangos wins a prize.  Not only did Barbra loves this idea she is now going to use it!  Of course she has tweaked and developed the idea (I'm not a PR professional just yet) but the spin I thought of she loved.

Barbra then developed the race into a weekend away with prizes for the people who came first, second and third in mango race.  Adding a bit more glamour and fun to it all!

This internship is pushing me to use my creativity more then I ever expected.  I have been pushed to act efficiently and diligently to meet expectations set by Barbra. 

Using public relations in work place is very different to using it in class. In class your given a reasonable amount of time to develop an idea and apply your public relations knowledge to put it to action. In the workplace you're not necessarily going to be given a comfortable amount of time to develop these ideas. Your client is going to an expect a fast response and your employer is going to expect you to work diligently and efficiently to meet these demands. If you can't provide a strong skill set your employer may look elsewhere for a PR practitioner that can.

This pressure my seem daunting but I have realised that it's actually very beneficial. It creates healthy competition in the work place and pushes you to develop your skills and be the most efficient, diligent and creative public relations employee you can be.

Heres the advertisement for the prize my creativity influenced !

What you will also notice is relationship that has grown between The Gelati Family (Spud Shed owners) and Momentum Forum Events.  Both have gained an outcome that is beneficial to them both and sends a positive message to the community due to the charitable cause it supports!  Hats off to the power of Public Relations.

Till next time