PR is Not Just About Writing

Greetings everyone,

From the beginning of my internship, I was never been given a chance to write a news release and honestly I felt a bit depressed and worried at the same time as I have not enough work sample for my report. Until this one fine day before my contract ends, Nokia Malaysia consultant, Gan Kel Sern asked for help from one of us, the interns, as he need to upload photos of Nokia Lumia 920 phone on Nokia Malaysia Facebook page. So, I offered myself to take photos for him as I have passion in photography and plus I need to add up my portfolio. I was assigned to take photos with the following themes:

• Nokia as most personal smartphone
• Valentine's Day

He didn't provide me with DLSR camera and the only camera he offered was Nokia Lumia 920 phone. I was skeptical with the quality at first but I just give it a try to see if its turn out as phone reviewers said about the phone's camera quality. So, I took photos of the phone and I was amazed with the photo quality. After taking few shots of the photos, I passed the phone back to Kel Sern and he chose two best photos to be uploaded. 

The next day, I saw the photos I took were on Nokia Malaysia Facebook page and I was so happy. The links of the photos are below:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=563284517017593&set=pb.113065628706153.-2207520000.1370542244.&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=563802590299119&set=pb.113065628706153.-2207520000.1370542244.&type=3&theater

Photo is one of the medium in communications. I believe if you have more skills to offer other than writing and ability to speak properly, your value as a PR person is higher. I'm glad my skill in photo taking is applicable during my internship and after that day, they known me as an intern who can take a good photo. I'm glad to get positive feedback from FHKL about my skill. I feel appreciated.

Remember, never give up. 

Best regards,

Fazar Ria Muneera Bt. Safree Zainudin

13761196/ 7D5B3504

Semester 1, 2013

Curtin University Sarawak Campus

I'm wide awake!

Katy Perry made a statement in her song saying that she's wide awake. That's how i felt when workload after workload is assigned to me. This is not pretending anymore, this is real. I felt the taste of how someone would be busy with work. With constant routine of daily media monitoring, reading newspaper after newspaper, the Food & Beverage requested for help from the PR department in assisting them to create a flag to decorate the dishes served. Picture taking with the chef, Shell and Petronas dinner coming up that need literally a thousand mini flags to be made, taking pictures of the dishes, arranging and preparing for the video shoot of the chef in Mulu - exotic food of Sarawak that will be filmed by RTM and footage will be shared with Asian Food Channel (AFC), there is so much to be done in so little time.

First Agenda
Proof reading for my boss's article for newsletter as well as the GM's letter.

Second Agenda
Fact sheet updates that needs me to research on the current property of Marriott chain. I spent a few hours in front of the laptop (thank god the internet speed is super fast, makes my life so much easier) opening websites, checking for validity of the information.

Third Agenda
Cutting and pasting of the mini flags. It's so tedious it was ridiculous! Printed mini flags, penknife, toothpick, the whole ensemble.

Fourth Agenda
Anticipating the call from RTM regarding the slot for chef cooking in Mulu cave filming

Fifth Agenda
Picture taking around the hotel.

I'm not complaining, i actually am very grateful that i received as much knowledge as they are throwing my way. I took on every task thinking that if i do great, it'll reflect so much on my impression with the hotel and my lecturer. And mostly, i just want to make a name for myself, make sure they will still remember me even after i have stop interning at the resort. Fingers crossed! Hopefully.

Updates will be up again soon!


A PR Practitioner to be,
Mea Misnu


Curtin University Sarawak Campus

An amazing start to the week

I am probably one of the last to begin their internship this late in the year for Professional Practice. However, despite the nervous rush to getting at least 20 working days under my belt, I am so very excited.

Today was my first official day working at my placement with the PR and Marketing Department at Hollywood Private Hospital. I am very lucky to also have a previous insight into the way the hospital works as I have been employed as a receptionist for close to four years now at Hollywood.

However, I loved the sneak peak into the wonderful department of PR which is miles apart from what we are used to at the front desk.

The team consists of the head of marketing, an event and sponsorship coordinator, an art director, a researcher and of course the public relations liaison who I am mostly working with. They are a lovely group to work with and all have a great attitude towards team work which I know will make it a brilliant place to learn from.

My day began with a friendly hello to everyone and a de-briefing from Clare (PR liaison) about what was needed to be done over my placement. Already excited about the fact I got to come along to help her with a short photo shoot for the Hollywood STAR, which is a quarterly magazine distributed within the hospital, I spent the morning proofreading some of the articles for the magazine. It was a really interesting and surprisingly fun process as it tested me on how well I could actually perform the task. I felt it quite a big responsibility on my first day but one I was more than pleased to do.

For the rest of the day, I organised stories with short paragraphs detailing information about events and anything newsworthy for the hospitals fortnightly web newsletter named ZING (taken from the last part of Amazing, the hospitals brand). It is a new email based newsletter of Hollywood Highlights which keeps the hospital staff informed on the latest news and events. For example, the latest ZING will include a snippet on R U OK? day which raises awareness for the prevention of depression and suicide and is coming up on the 15th September. Hollywood is supplying a barbeque for gold coin donations to help fundraise for the cause. These little stories just make sure the staff now what is going on around the hospital. I find it very useful as a staff member myself.

There are also so many events coming up for Hollywood, Glengarry and Joondalup hospitals as the team at Hollywood represent all four Ramsay Health care campuses in WA. I will probably help out on a few of these events, such as Doctors parties, staff events and award ceremonies.

Overall, today was very insightful and more importantly exciting as I look forward to the other few weeks ahead. It has definitely reinforced that this profession is one that I would really enjoy working in as it brings a sense of excitement and accomplishment into an everyday working environment.

Hope you are all enjoying your placement too. Let me know what your favourite part about it was.

Kate Millar

13643087