It is not the end, it is only the beginning...

Hi Bloggers and Friends, For my final post let sit down and talk about my internship at Publico Creative and Universal Media.

My Internship at Publico Creative and Universal media was has been a great and inspiring experience. As mentioned in my previous blogs, being at Publico provided me the opportunity to  get on my feet in the PR field and  apply my knowledge as a first practical and enriching experience to complete my studies in public relations and communication. Of course it was not easy everyday to meet the targets but it was for me a challenge because clients expected that I go the extra mile like the other employees. Being at the agency helps me to learn how to implement marketing strategies, conduct reports and research’s, prepare interviews and draft speeches, interact with high personalities and one of the highlights of my internship was to be in the media relation and advertising team of an international personality who came to Mauritius for a media conference and a huge presentation which marked Mauritius by is arrival to the island.

As communication is a valuable asset in public relation, for Publico communication is very important. Internal and external communication is very important as Neila Govin said  ‘without a good internal communication there are no good external communication’. At Publico all departments for example, the account managers, art directors and the general manager always need to be on the same wave length. The agency promotes that good internal communication reflects the way they work altogether in the agency  which results in good external communication with clients. This strong corporate culture helped me a to increase the way I work and it enhances my effectiveness to handle issues.

My internship has given me the chance to explore a variety of roles, allowing me to develop valuable skills that employers look. But, It was not only a professional internship but also a human experience. I would like to thank all the team that is the management team, the art directors, the media department, the messengers, the receptionist and the chef, who from my first day there, did their best to give me a warm welcome and encourage me to go further. I will not forget the other intern who made my internship so special.


For all these reasons I’d really like to express my sincere gratitude to Publico Creative ( Universal Media)  and all the team there and wish you all the best for the future. I hope that you enjoy reading my final blog about my experience in a creative atmosphere as I mentioned in my first blog. If you have any question in regard to my internship just leave a comment.

Kind regards

Sharonne Delia 

" Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education" - Martin Luther King, Jr

My internship adventures at Universal Media

Hi bloggers

So, my third blog would be about my experience at Universal Media which is a part of Publico Creative as they handle all the media channels that Publico needs to work with. The working environment there is quite different as everything needs to be done quickly and effectively.

I got a lot to do there every day between media clippings, media plan, and contacting the different newspapers of Mauritius, it was a very good and nice experience there.

My job was mainly to send the necessary documentation and information to media contacts that the company have and making new contact using my communication skills to increase the relationship between (the example) the clients and the company. My job there was to find the  local newspaper reporters who are responsible for different newspaper advert space.

When some information are not clear, my duties at Universal Media was to call the news editors of the newspapers, radio stations or MBC and clarify the issues.

Before any inquiries by the media, I was briefed by the director as anything you say to the media may end up in a story. The media have been shown to be a primary source of information, but "it can be the best friend or worst enemy." During meetings I was there with the team as a Media advocate as my job was to work to attract publicity for organizations, to know that the media can get a public or social policy message across to the largest audience possible in the least amount of time.

So, This is a small overview of my duties at Universal Media. Thank you for taking the time to read my post and I am open to questions.

Kind regards

Sharonne Delia 

" Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education" - Martin Luther King, Jr

Unpredictably Grey

1st post
Grey Group – Famously Effective since 1917 

Fifty Shades of Grey?  

Nope, nope.  

No Christian Grey,  

No Anastasia Steele, 
Just Nicole Tay.

--- I guess interning at an advertising agency tells a lot 

Honestly, I couldn't get any more grateful when I knew I got through the interview. Everything was very much the first to me. 

1st time interning at an advertising agency 

1st time doing Public Relations work 

1st and only resume sent for the intern job  

1st time working in an industry with people from diverse culture  

1st exposure to abnormally normal doings 

There is nothing you can expect from a creative industry – not sure if it is good or bad! 

If you heard a loud commotion or the sudden blast of music, don’t worry child, things are still in good hands!  

With the constant drama, chaotic situation, and whatever you can name……….

Welcome to the advertising world!  

These are some of our clients 

My first season, episode one, starts off with familiarizing with past campaigns and sitting through internal meetings regarding the Sacoor Brothers’ Spring Summer Collection. 

Somehow, downloading of press releases and media monitoring for Sacoor Brothers and any print articles featuring Grey, seems never-ending.  

Other than that, I was trying my best to adapt to this new environment…  

Entering the office to find a rolling chair on the table with a soccer ball on it.  

Exactly what I meant by it’s really abnormally normal here! Oh, and by the way, colleagues do bring their “homes” to work too. I swear I was trying not to be surprised to find mountain bikes in office or worried about my safety when a Frisbee or a soccer ball flew across the office after 6pm.  

Contrary to the Curtin's professional public relations' corporate attire standards, I'm actually allowed to attend work in "beachwear", shorts and slippers unless I'm meeting the client. 
Generally, the people here do have their own unique fashion sense and are into trends, turning up in bright Neon colours clothing/hair and constantly dressing up the "wild" and "wow" way. 

Summing it up: Freedom, without much constraint, does encourage creativity. 

*** Emotional aspect ***

During that period of time, my Public Relations manager was pregnant and had plans to return to Australia in weeks’ time to settle down. The news came so sudden that I'd no time to respond.......

my world just toppled down.  

I was lost.    

But well, life goes on with or without disappointments. 

I was then made to temporary report to the accounts director and help one of the account servicing teams with QATAR Airways and UD Trucks (formerly known as Nissan Diesel) presentation slides.  

It was tedious but I get to perfect my creation of the presentation slides, get used to the corporate world and learn how to prepare for pitches. It also involves media monitoring for the client. 

Soon, I was made to report directly to the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) for guidance regarding PR work........

Thanks for all that patience.

That’s all for now. Shall explain about how that arrangement came about in the next post. 

Supporting the client's brand! Haha

P.S Into the "Wow-derness" I roam, I shall survive! 

Nicole Tay Swee Ying

15659879

Bachelor of commerce (Marketing and Public Relations), Curtin Singapore