Learning facts for the last post

Hello fellow interns,

This is my last post for the Public Relations Internship (393).

For my last days at Logos Publicity, there were not less than three press conferences to ensure (two for the Festival Passe-Portes and one for the rebranding of the AAA as mentioned in the previous post). This was pretty stressed.

So, for this post I will mainly focus on my learning and thoughts being PR intern.

As Logos Publicity has prior to advertising, there was only one employee who is in charge of all the PR stuff. She taught and guided me towards the methods of writing media releases (according to the company), contacting media, preparing brochure and poster’s text, and product research. This was really interesting but demanding at times. The fact that my colleague had not done any course for PR techniques is, by the way, more remarkable. She gains experience through years and still she is very effective/productive :)

Through the opportunity of assisting a press conference, I have learned the importance of engaging the media in an event and networking.

I have also learned about the importance of good relationships with colleagues. This is important to manage conflicts and work together for better quality work.

To conclude, I am very grateful for this wonderful 20 days. However, I discovered that public relations sector was not really my domain and that I am interested mostly in event management :) I got the chance to experience PR tactics and techniques from theory to practice.

Regards,

Elodie Lamarque

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Calling Media – Not so easy…

Hello everyone,

Already third post (after 1 month). I must say that I had difficulty to handle assignments and work and hats off for those who deal efficiently with those two.

This post will mainly focus on press conference. Logos was completely occupied with Festival Passe-Portes and the rebranding of AAA (Association of Advertising Agencies) during the past week. Press conference was needed to welcome the 60 French artists’ arrival and to announce the changing brand name of AAA to ACA (Association of Communication Agencies) respectively. Therefore, contacting the media was requested:

1 -  Sending email to editor-in-chief and journalists to inform for the conference (purpose, time, date, place) several days before (4/3days). Additionally, the news must be distribute to appropriate media as said in the second post (for example; AAA - Business Magazine, L’Express or Festival Passe-Portes – Scope). This will raise interest from journalists and ensure coverage.

2 - Calling for confirmation. That’s a different kettle of fish. This phase requests perseverance and patience :)

3 - Make a follow-up with the journalists presented. This consists of emailing additional information and photos to media that assisted the conference. It is mainly to ensure that proper coverage is done with correct materials. Furthermore, for the example of the festival, the invitation for the closure was sent to those same journalists.

Learning lesson: Good communication skills are required to maintain proper relationship with media outlet and to guarantee coverage of event.

Thanks you for following,

Elodie Lamarque

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An Honorable Job (Contrary to popular belief)

Dear All,

This post will focus on the way information is communicated to media (as I experience), experience with demanding clients and importance of details.

I got the chance to assist at the whole process concerning media planning and advertising in print and online media channels which requires a lot of time and efforts :)

- All the press releases are written firstly by my colleague and I, according to new information given by the organizer Catherine such as recently it was confirmed that the president of the jury for Passe-Portes will be Claudia Cardinale, a popular French actor. I will essentially point out on the importance of proof-reading. My colleague mainly focuses on that more than you can imagine :) . This is just great as I learn its significance NOW!

    - We then forward it to Catherine for approval or amendments.
    - Then, following it, press release is sent to each editor –in-chief and journalists of print and online media, and radio in Mauritius. We should mainly focus on journalists who cover the Culture and Art section in newspaper and radio which guarantees publication or diffusion.
    - In order to measure the impact, media monitoring is essential during the following days.

In case of lack of coverage (It happened at the beginning after the press conference), it is important to renew the process by concentrating on main or additional news.

I also learnt the importance of effective communication between the company and organizers in order to avoid confusions/conflicts and diffusing incorrect information. In the case of Festival, it is essential to confirm each and every detail with Catherine before sending to the media - artworks for advertising and press releases (It happened that there was confusion/misleading information and this was revealed to be stressful). So, imagine, we contact her at least 4 times per day. This could be really annoying. In addition, at times, she can be too demanding (she wants this in that way/ this should be sent at that time/ everything should be firstly approved by her – but she does not respond to mail on time). Inevitably, frustration, stress, disagreement and/or incomprehension can arise but these must not prevent PROFESSIONALISM and doing things ETHICALLY.

I should almost confess in my second post that I have a lot of respect for PR practitioners as this job is truly demanding and stressing. Works should be transparent and always correctly done. Every detail should be respected and take into consideration.  Errors are not always forgiven in this sector as clients could turn their backs and engage with competitors. My hat off for those who succeed in this field and love their jobs :)

Elodie Lamarque

Charles Telfair Institute

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Discovering of a new world

Hi fellow interns,

Here I am finally for my first blog post which is just AMAZING. I am actually a BCOM student at Charles Telfair Institute in Mauritius (Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management and Public Relations). After 2 months of sending emails and calling companies in vain, Mr Cyril Palan from Logos Publicity Ltd was the do-gooder to accept me for my 20 days of internship.

MY FIRST DAY

Officially trainee in Logos Publicity (25^th March 2014). I stayed the whole day and was introduced to the employees with a site visit. The director also shared with me his career path and the history of the company.  During the day, I was asked to make research about a new product for its launching advert and I also helped to prepare invitation to journalists for a press conference (Figure 1). This was to announce the first Festival of Theater and Music “Passe Portes” in Mauritius which will occur at the end of May.The festival will not only constitute of icon theater and music personalities but will also act like a platform for young talented artists from different countries such as Switzerland, Belgium, Reunion Island, France and Mauritius. They will get the opportunity to present their own play(written and act by themselves). Awards will also be given for the best concept. 

SECOND DAY

My second day was really special, full with unexpected events. I was invited to the press conference held in the evening. This was a great pleasure as it was the first time I assisted such event and it was exactly what I wanted to discover.  This was really impressive to be surrounded with important personalities (such as General Director of Total Anne-Solange Renouard; Director of Le Caudan Waterfront, and Director of Blue Fish, Laurent Garnier, French Ambassador). Logos Publicity's roles, during the conference, were to distribute the press kit to journalists, to take photographs of the event and also for networking. 

The importance and objectives of project were clearly explained by the organizers of Passe Portes, Catherine Swagemakers and Francois Moravic.

Figure 2 pictured the organizers, French Ambassador, and the participants from Mauritius. Figure 3 shows Mme Swagemakers during the presentation. 

 Figure 1

 Figure 2

 Figure 3

 Stay connected. More to come. I will keep you update about the festival preparation.

Elodie Lamarque

CTI Student

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