The Beginning, middle...what's the end?

The beginning: Working for a NFP can be increasingly difficult when you do not accept government funding but rather rely on donations and sponsorship from the community. When myself and one of the other interns at ODATWA, Hope, were told we were about to lose our space if we were unable to raise money, we immediately jumped into action! It began with planning low cost fundraising ideas, brainstorming and researching what would be most effective and could be put together quickly...well we chose an event that although did not require too much effort, was a little difficult to organise over the course of a month! We knew if we were going to pull this off that we would need to put in a lot of hard work!

Although I have organised a few events before, Hope was a biomed student who was looking to get into medicine in the next few years, and works part time. Where as I myself have full time uni, work part time, run a small business and volunteer #timepoor. We knew the next month would be a push and that it would be done on a minimal budget.

So what event did we choose? Well  being Gen Y students that watch a lot of Netflix, of course we couldn't resist hosting our very own dodge ball tournament - Dodge For A Cause! We were excited, enthusiastic and it made the hectic month a whole lot more fun throwing doge ball movie puns at one another. For anyone who isn't aware; Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story is what we were relating to. 

The middle: We managed to secure Curtin University Stadium for our event #winning, we set up a Facebook event and October 16th was out event date. We had so much interest in the event, however of course do to limited notice, were unable to secure as many teams as we would have liked but lets save that for the next blog post.

We thought about food to put on and decided putting on our own sausage sizzle would be the most effective way as we had a butcher kind enough to donate sausages for this. The event was all over Facebook and even the Curtin Library toilets thanks to Hope! I targeted Murdoch University and we had a lot of response! Our supervisors barely weighed in on the event as they were so impressed with the approaches we had taken to the event!

We had to submit license applications to the town of Vic Park, create a risk assessment for the event, running sheet and logistics along with tournament details and of course advertise and accept registrations for the event...how did we do it?

Critique or Critic...Which role does PR play?

It can be said that critique plays a role in any vocation as the processes in which that vocation functions on are commonsensical ideas that have become normalized and naturalized as a result of society organizing and structuring the world in a particular way. By comparing what is traditionally thought of and expected of public relations (PR) to how these expectations have come about and been formed by ideas of critique, this would assist in better understanding this vocation and in turn help to ask new critical questions which may be useful in advancing the field of PR.

PR is defined by Grunig and Hunt (1984) as ‘the management of communication between an organization and its publics’, with its primary roles being an adviser and a problem solver. These roles are provided with the idea of improving the organization, which if successful will also benefit the public and as a result this reflects and ties in on the purpose of critique, which also aims at improving ourselves, our social institutions and professional practices.  By building relationships using communication, PR helps to avoid possible conflicts, as communication, a synonym for language is the central medium used for constructing meaning and understanding as we learn about the world primarily through language. Conflicts often occur because the interests of each group differ and collide occasionally, usually because we refuse to acknowledge anything else but the naturalized ways of thinking for the reason that we often tend to forget that reality is constructed and that it can be organized in different ways; these different ways are the variant thoughts and ideas that other individuals possess. By being the mediators and finding a common ground that satisfies the interests of all parties, this is the primary challenge of PR and also what makes it so important in society, as the words we speak and the particular structures that we use can influence and or determine prospective outcomes.

In learning about critique, we also learn about the importance of representation, as it is one of the key factors that influence the way we think. In contemporary society, the boundaries that divide the real world and media have been blurred though the increase of portable technologies and most importantly, social media. Consequently, society today sees the real world through a filter of media images and has produced a new way of seeing the world. Additionally, the easy access to the tools of media production has created a society that is made up of active consumers who respond to traditional media by remediating and producing their own content. It is crucial to understand that communication in media has no natural meaning, as the meanings being presented are always socially orientated so as to align with class, gender, race and other human interests; as a result, this has made viewers constantly question the validity of media content that is being put across to them, more so now since there is an increase in information sources. According to Johnston and Zawawi (2009) approximately 65% of front news sections and up to 90% of stories from business sections of prominent newspapers in Australia come from PR sources, professionals and practitioners of this field have the responsibility and obligation to provide the truth to the public. “The press has a first duty to the public” by Johnston and Zawawi proves this point. However, when studying critique, it is also understood that society is divided into two spheres: private and public, where private refers to the boundaries of family and private concerns. Therefore, it is also in the role of PR to make public institutional practices known to readers and viewers within the private sphere of family and home and this is done through mediums of media, such as television or the Internet.

Consequently, to effectively disseminate information, another crucial element of this field is media relations. This can be through: campaigns, conferences or even corporate events that require media management. Evidently prior to any event, a considerable amount of planning has to take place in order for the event to be executed smoothly and this is another responsibility of PR practitioners. No one will notice the things that go right but will certainly remember the things that go wrong; in the case that an event has even the slightest mishap, the blame would most likely fall on the PR individuals as they are responsible for managing the event and its outcomes. Furthermore, because recognition is rarely received if an event is carried out successfully, there often can be an impression that the work that has been done is taken for granted and this relates to the notion of transparency, another concept of critique. Therefore the challenge here lies in accepting the success of an event as a personal achievement and taking pride that although recognition may not be received, through the work of PR, it has aided or in some way improved the functioning society, as it is what critique and this field is all about.

Thus to conclude, critique indeed plays a role in the professional area of PR as they both strive and aim for the same purpose: improving institutions, our professional practices and ourselves. Through its actions as an adviser and a problem solver, using communication as its primary tool to find common ground between its parties and establish balance, critique helps practitioners of the field to achieve and be successful in their role as it contributes to the understanding of the thought processes behind individuals and the choices they make. In return, by being familiar with this understanding, practitioners can help influence and determine prospective outcomes. Moreover, by consistently trying to seek out new ways in achieving such roles and perhaps by thinking out of the box using the critical concepts of critique, in hopes of receiving recognition and avoiding transparency, this could provide for a better understanding of this field and more future opportunities.

A Note on Newsworthiness

Yesterday I was lucky enough to attend the Defences Services Asia 2016 Exhibition and Conference (DSA 2016). What followed was a lesson in culture, events management and the ever-changing nature of the news.

On arrival our first responsibility was to organise the press. After they had registered, we exchanged business cards – in Malaysia, business cards are passed back and forth at the very beginning of a meeting and are given to everyone. This makes a change from Australia where, for the most part, cards are only given when asked for. Following this, we gave the journalists a press kit, a running sheet and a small gift (gift-giving – known as buah tangan or ‘gift of the hands’ – is another Malay custom) before ushering them into the conference room.

All of this ran smoothly until shock! We realised we’d under estimated; the 36 journalist we’d accounted for suddenly multiplied into 72. Fear not, after some a bit of improvising we recovered but it was certainly a lesson about thinking on your feet.

Next the VIP guests arrived, this included Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein Malaysia’s Minster of Defense. Once he and his entourage were settled the exhibition commenced. Press conference was held, awards were presented, videos were played and everything was going to plan…

That was, until a news story broke to shift the entire focus of the day. Najib Razak, Malaysia’s Prime Minister, had sacked his Deputy. All of a sudden poor Hishammuddin Hussein was swamped by a tidal wave of reporters, scrambling over each other to get a comment. He expertly fielded questions and then swiftly left to deal with the political fall-out.



28/07/15: Malaysia's Minister for Defence, Hishammuddin Hussein, surrounded by press following cabinet re-shuffle

 

After months of planning and hours of setting up, our event was foreshadowed by one decision made in a distant cabinet room. The next day DSA 2016 received press coverage, but it was minimal and always in conjunction with the cabinet re-shuffle.

All of this is just proof that you can organise a newsworthy event down to the nth degree, but the media machine can have other ideas about its importance.

 

The power of surprises at events

Surprises... do you hate them or love them? In its definition, surprises are an unexpected or an astonishing occurrence, something of which most events want to avoid. The idea of not having control over, of having to deviate and improvised from plans tends to threaten most individuals. However, positive or negative, surprises are a natural part of life, they are experienced everyday…so why resist them at events?

All events have one thing in common, that is to satisfy their guests.  Satisfaction is based on how a person feels their experience is, whether their expectations have been met and how it compares to prior experiences.  Surprise is human emotion; however it is more than just that. Best selling author and keynote speaker, Soren Kaplan, in his TED talk: ‘The Power of Surprise’ highlights that surprises are also a social experience. What do we do when we get a surprise? We share the experience with others. Take for example popular pop band, Maroon 5. In their recent hit song Sugar, the music video featured the band ambushing and playing at several weddings. In response to how the stunt turned out, lead singer Adam Levine told Entertainment Weekly, "It felt good to surprise these people and make them happy.”

Still not sold on the power of surprises? Here’s more. Most events are planned with the intention to sell a product, an idea or even a lifestyle. The relationship between surprise and selling is attention; in other words, surprises reduce boredom. Imagine going to a gala and all of a sudden the waiters turn in to dancers and before you know it you have a flash mob. Imagine the thrill you would feel…that is definitely one event you would not forget! Therefore memories aren’t just facts, they are remembered emotion.

Thus next time you plan an event, think about embracing and incorporating the element of surprise.

Hanging up my AAA lanyard for the last time as an intern

All good things come to an end, and it has come the time to bid farewell to Mellen Events. After the craziness of Future Music and Good Life Festivals and spending 6 days straight on site, I was given a few days off to rest. I spent the next few days curating all my budgets and all my receipts with purchases and orders to be sent off to the Future Music office over in Melbourne. Obviously everything had to match, down to the last cent and this proved way more difficult than I imagined, as everything is split up into precise codes and categories to be paid properly. Paperwork was clearly not as glamorous as the other parts of the job.

In the week after Future my mentor had also finished her last day at Mellen Events and had immediately flown to Melbourne to help out with Victoria's Future Music Festival. Meaning I was somewhat left in the dark as to how to tackle sending out these budgets and how this would be effectively translated to accounts at the Mushroom Group. I also had to chase up all the staff that worked for me on the day of Future Music and Good Life, with tax forms and staff forms as they had to be paid for their work as soon as possible.

Ironically enough, a few days ago it was announced by the Mushroom Group that Future Music Festival will cease to exist within Australia as it is not profitable. Am I surprised? No. The sad thing is they believe the large scale music festival as an event is becoming extinct world wide, with Australia at the forefront of this. Why? With Australia being as remote as it is, transport fees are outrageously high, labour cost is high and international competition is fierce. Artist fees and hire costs continue to grow each year and entertainment companies are reaching a point where putting ticket prices up every year is simply not an option, as people slowly but surely stop attending these events due to financial pressure. Not an ideal article of news to hear after you have experienced something so life changing and something you could see yourself wanting to get into career wise. I do believe there will be a shift in popular music events within the live entertainment industry, with more focus and money being put into solo live music shows (take a look at the Perth Arena's success). So all hope is not lost.

So what happens now? I was lucky enough to build a great relationship with the Mellen Event staff, and have been given some paid casual work with them when it comes to some of their events. A few examples being an Evening on the Green concerts, Paul Simon and Sting concert, Rodriguez and Angus and Julia Stone etc. However their season ends after the warmer months, as they do not hold music events in Winter (can't argue with Mother Nature).

As I have mentioned throughout my blogging this was not entirely a public relations internship, which I realised after having begun. However I have definitely been able to effectively put into practice all of my skills learnt within my public relations units including my writing skills, communication and negotiation skills, organisational skills and time management skills. At the end of this experience I have come out with great references, a lot of great stories and a polished resume, which I am ecstatic about. I would still like to polish off my public relations writing skills though.

I look forward to reading how others finished their internships, and what they think "comes next" for them?!

All the best everyone!

Billie

Time is the most valuable commodity

Continuing on from my previous post, we are now currently five days out from the huge event that will be Future Music Festival this year, and it has been stressful to say the least.

This has given me an insight into how large scale events work (or don't work) and how putting together these kind of events requires hundreds of companies and potentially thousands of people to have to work together, to achieve a general universal goal. Communication is key. Once communication is lost or blurred, this is where problems arise.

I never thought I would be given this amount of responsibility. I am very grateful on one hand, but have been given so much responsibility in an area where let's face it, I am no expert. In the past few weeks I have booked in food vendors, furniture, decor, hair stylists and make up artists, port-a-loos, staff for Future Music's VIP areas. All while recording every thing I have purchased or ordered as I have to stick to a strict budget. I have had to liaise with all these clients about delivery/collection, create site maps and spread sheets upon spread sheets, to make sure everyone knows what is to be done and what I have purchased/hired.

This sounds glamorous, but has in fact been the most stressful job I have ever come across as I have not had much information to go off, besides a budget. It makes it very difficult when most of the team work in other states, and you have to factor in time difference, as well as them having to organise 6 shows across Australia. Time is such an exhausted and valuable resource in the events world and it is always running out. I would in fact argue that my role, should have been a paid full time job commitment, hence the stress of trying to fit all of this work into 1-2 days a week.

Needless to say I am counting down the days until Future is upon us, as I would I am very excited to see how the whole event comes together, and I am very excited to be able to relax.

Luckily I am part of an intern team here at Mellen Events and we are all feeling the same way, which makes it all a bit more comforting. With all of the team we have agreed this is definitely an events internship and not a public relations one. Seeing as these industries often go hand in hand, we feel the experience is invaluable.

Billie Reason

New Found Respect for Events Management

I have always been an avid music follower. A "channel flicker" in the car so I don't miss out on anything. That embarrassing girl who sings to pop music in dead lock traffic. Music soothes the soul.

I have been lucky enough to land an internship at entertainment events company Mellen Events in Claremont late last month,which works solely on music festivals and musical events. This is no generic office internship. I am working as part of the operations and communications part of the Mellen team, with my first big "gig" being Future Music Festival 2015, held at Joondalup Arena.

My first week, apart from learning 12 new names consisted of me conducting online research as I will be organising the VIP areas (Sunset Club and First Class) for Future this year. This meant researching: food caterers, furniture, decor and everything from port-a-loos to hairstylists. It has taken me a good week to realise just how important my job actually is and just how much responsibility it entails. Which has made this first two weeks fairly stressful but also invaluable.

My first week also saw me make a lot of contact with all different kinds of companies and people, communicating through email, telephone and face to face. Putting my communication skills to good use, as each person/company would need to be approached differently depending on what was being discussed i.e. making furniture enquiries versus approaching hair stylists for a contra-deal on working at the show. 

A typical day at the Mellen office could consist of emails and phone calls all day. It could also consist of site visits and meetings (next post on HBF Arena). Creating schedules, run sheets, contact lists and most importantly creating an event from essentially nothing. I've quickly learnt events is a very spontaneous and fast paced environment. You could spend a whole day or even a few days on a task, only for someone to change their mind or for something to not be approved, and you have to begin all over again. There is no doubt in my mind I am getting real life experience and real work experience within this office.

My mentor Ash, began as an intern too, and stepped into an Event Manager role when she finished her internship. I have such respect watching her juggle a million jobs at once, and work the immense hours she does. She often reminds me however that she lacks a social life because of it.

Large scale events are definitely not for the faint hearted or the softly spoken. Long days of 15+ hours and sleepless nights are a given, and you have to think on your feet. I am very excited to see how the next few weeks pan out and how this event comes together.

In terms of traditional public relations, I am not sure how relevant this internship is. However what I may lack in writing traditional documents i.e. press releases and media releases, I feel I am gaining experience in communication skills/liaising and event management skills. Which is something I have always had an avid interest in.

Billie Reason

A Taste of the Events Industry

My first few weeks at Magenta have been an amazing experience.

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to assist with a launch event for one of Magenta’s clients, London based store Matches Fashion. Myself and two other interns were responsible for dressing the models for the fashion parade that was to be featured at the event.

I have done a small amount of event assistance work before but I have never had anything to do with backstage dressing, so I was a bit nervous that I wouldn’t be quick enough to get the models ready in time.

I never thought that I wanted to work in the events side of the PR industry (I have previously completed an events management unit, but I didn’t enjoy it all that much and came to the conclusion that events weren’t really for me), but after this experience I have definitely changed my mind. Although they can be stressful, I think that being able to pull together a successful event is a huge achievement and I could tell that the girls at Magenta were really proud that their hard work had paid off.

This experience has made me even more excited for what’s to come both at my internship with Magenta as well as in my future career!

Tessa

First Day of Internship

Today was my first day at work, FINALLY!

I have been waiting for this since three months and here I am, in a place that I didn't even know existed in Mauritius. The environment is quite relaxing, no noise pollution or whatever, a bit too relaxing for me, in other words you just want to sleep under a tree and appreciate the nature.

As it is a very small company, (6 employees only, including me) it was quite difficult to feel comfortable as they already knew each other and I was the only new intern. Frankly I wanted to run away from this place but thank God, I have a very good friend who told me, “You've got to pull yourself together and take control of your emotions!”

She was right, it’s not the work that sucks, it’s the way you relate to the work itself. Everything depends on the way you see things, I decided to take it positively and do the work seriously, I did what I could and even my boss was impress by my work.

At this precise moment, the day went out quickly and smoothly. I was asked to find specific costing for an event that the company is supposed to organised. I was asked to find different venues, caterings, photographers and book publishers for the event.

What I learned from my first day at work is that good contacts are essential in public relations, without them, organising an event is impossible.

Thank you for reading my first blog entry and stay tuned :)

Anne-Laure Ferry
15886512
CTI (Mauritius)