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17 Embarrassing Things Overthinkers Say When They Really Want To Say ‘I Love You’
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Author Archives: jamiegell
Why was this project interesting?
What we found most interesting about the blog project and the current state of media communication was how passionate we collectively became about our subject. We were previously unaware of how much support already existed in favor of protecting animal rights and we were excited to further the cause. The more that we read about harsh conditions, better alternatives for animal testing, and just looking at the photos of animals who had been mistreated, the more our group grew in our effort and determination to turn our blog into something substantial. From Anonymous we learned the negative power that the cyber world has on the physical world, so we hope that our blog serves as a force of good.
Responding to Kennedy
While touring the Newseum’s “Assassination of JFK and Kennedy Family History” exhibit, I observed the former president’s legacy from a journalistic perspective. The exhibit featured recollections from historians, journalists, newspaper headlines and photographs from the Kennedy era.
I was most affected by the telegraph released following Kennedy’s assassination that confirmed his untimely death. Although it was before my lifetime, the artifact evoked a raw sadness in me. In my future public relations career, would I ever have to send something out that is so difficult to write?
I tried to imagine what it must have felt like to be a reporter at this time. What was the ethical line between informing the public of how the president was murdered while respecting the privacy of the mourning family, I wondered. I concluded that a public relation representative’s tactical decisions span much further than editing.
Student Kristin Van Trieste examines the Kennedy exhibit.
Photo by Jamie Geller
50 Years of Grey
CBS Evening News Correspondent Walter Cronkite left America with a resonating thought the night of the assassination.
“In the search of our conscience we find a new dedication to the American concepts…maybe it may yet be possible to say that JFK did not die in vain,” Cronkite said.
Portrait of President John F. Kennedy that was painted after his assassination.
Photo by Jamie Geller
For public relations specialists, theoretical knowledge is not always the right answer; question of decorum cannot always be answered with AP style. Notably, this quote was from Nov. 25, 1963. Half a decade later, a grey area remains in how journalists responded to the assassination. Somehow, Cronkite found a positive message in the madness.
This trip taught me that in the future, the hybrid of skill and sensitivity might be the most valuable tool in my career. When there is no clear answer, is there a balance where public relations can remain honest, reflective and sensitive to its audience?
Let me know what you think! Comment below or tweet to me @jamiegell
Link
The sixth annual Grunig Lecture featured keynote speaker Dave Senay, President and CEO of FleishmanHillard, who spoke about “Ethics as Culture” in current public relations affairs.
It was a worldwide cultural phenomenon, Senay explained, how the notions of what is right and wrong are universally believed. Using the Grunig model as his base, Senay explained a high moral standard and well-formed ethics are what lead us forward to success.
“Ethical behavior is the foundation to building trust,” Senay said.
Dave Senay presents “Ethics as Culture” at the Sixth Annual Grunig Lecture
Source: http://www.Flickr.com
Ethics in Practice
Senay highlighted examples of public relations mishaps recently that involved overseas embezzlement, lying and other unethical practices. The consequences for these actions often cost the companies financially, but even more costly, the value of their reputation. While the specific rules that these companies broke were in respect to their own regulations, the overall concepts of cheating and lying were wrong.
“We can never create enough rules to cover every situation, but we can create a set of reasonable principles people can apply,” Senay said.
The Power of “Public” Within Relations
Senay explained that a company’s or individual’s practitioner that the public did not trust would not last. He said the best way to maintain the wellbeing of a company in both productivity and in relations to the public is to adhere to universal accepted practices. In the modern global business model, regulatory standards may differ, however, there is an overlying sense of right and wrong that must be applied.
“No company can exist without the permission of its publics,” Senay said.
Senay cautioned the audience with was that unyielding practice of ethical behavior is key to drive the public relations as an ethical profession to its heights.
“We need to forcefully enforce these principles or our ethics will erode away,” Senay said.
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Public Relation Research and Knowledge
Knowledge is Power
A key quality in a successful public relations strategy is knowledge. The relevant knowledge for any public relations company, including an in-depth understanding of the represented company’s internal structure, the public’s opinion about the company, and maintaining a clear objective for success. This knowledge is best obtained through research.
An even more accessible way to obtain knowledge is through Google Alerts. They are free and allow instant updates with online posting about the company you represent in regard to their public relation needs. They brings the research to you, so you can spend less time searching and extracting information, and more time protecting and enhancing your company’s reputation.
Research in action
The company I have chosen to write about for my newsletter is Route One Apparel. Founded by a student at the University of Maryland in 2010, Route One’s designs are especially popular with students and Maryland. I set up a Google Alert with the phrase “Route One Apparel” so whenever they are mentioned online, I automatically receive an alert to my email. By letting the research come to me, I can spend more time interpreting the information and deciding how it is useful for my company’s further success.
Photo courtesy of The Towerlight
Today, I received an alert that said Route One Apparel was the front page story for The Towerlight, Towson’s local newspaper. As soon as I found out, I called the owner of Route One Apparel to congratulate her on the successful story. A good public relations worker knows how to maintain contact with clients, and showing a genuine interest in the company is a key component. I then read the article to make sure that there was no “PR Crisis” (all was good!) and that it represented the company well.
Read the full article here: http://www.thetowerlight.com/2013/09/maryland-os-and-natty-bohs/
Ethical Dilemmas
A. I used the “Ethical Decision-Making Guide” by Kathy Fitzpatrick to address the ethical dilemma of recording.
- 1. Define the specific ethical issue/conflict: The ethical conflict is how to record interviews in a way that is both legal and ethical.
- 2. Internal/external factors
- a. Reputation (internal): A reporter’s credibility will certainly be compromised if the information is obtained or recorded without the direct consent of those recorded. Furthermore, sources will not be open to further interviews with underhanded reporters.
- b. Legality (external): in states like California, two parties must consent to the recording of a conversation. If this is breached, the reporter may face not only damage to their reputation, but potential legal consequences depending on the state where the consent was not given.
- 3. Key Values
- Honesty: A reporter must explain to a interviewee how they are to be recorded beforehand.
- Expertise: A reporter must utilize their best knowledge skillset while working. A good reporter will always work towards a higher credibility, mutual understanding and a positive relationship with diverse audiences and institutions.
- Fairness: Fairness must be incorporated into all interactions with clients, employers, competitors and the general public
- Respect: The right to free expression and opinions must be upheld.
- 4. Affected Parties:
- The interviewee could be negatively affected by the release of unconsented information. It could be a poor reflection on them individually and the organization they represent. If they accidentally speak slanderously about the organization they represent and their supervisor sees the report, they may lose their job in addition to hurting the organization’s reputation
- The reporter will lose their credibility and face legal consequences if they record an interview without a party’s necessary consent in regard’s to the state’s code of compliance.
- 5. Ethical Principles:
- Free Flow of Information: A reporter must preserve communication’s integrity by maintaining complete honesty and accuracy.
- Disclosure of Information: A reporter must maintain honesty and accuracy and avoid deceptive practices in all communication.
- Safeguarding Confidences: Maintain a client’s trust by protecting their confidential and private information, along with the reporter’s own information.
- 6. Decision:
- a. A professional reporter will realize that one exclusive, trust-breaking scoop that would compromise their integrity and potentially the well-being of the subject is not worth damaging their overall reputation over and should stick to honest and fair reporting techniques.
Diversity
SEO: GYMR embraces diversity
Summary Blurb: GYMR incorporates diversity into their internal workforce and external image for a thorough diversity image.
The diversity difference
Diversity is the inclusion of different peoples within a shared community. Diverse identifying traits include religious groups, races, ages, genders and ethnicities. Diversity opens up our minds to accepting the perspectives of others to help shape our own opinions. In public relations, it is key to consider the diverse individuals your message reaches. For more about public relations and diversity, visit: http://diversity.prsa.org/
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Photo courtesy of: The Inclusion and Diversity Course Transformation Project |
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Geller, GYMR Diversity. Pg 2.
GYMR: Diversity in practice
GYMR incorporates diversity by meeting the public relations needs of different types of groups including both the young and old. Similarly, the inclusion of various types of healthcare PR allows GYMR’s team to see the overall healthcare industry as a whole and therefore serve their clients in a more informed way. Their diverse public relations experience is viewable at: http://gymr.com/our-results/case-studies/
GYMR diversity in action
The constant incorporation and expansion of diversity in the workplace is a trait GYMR prides itself on. Visible on GYMR’s website, http://gymr.com/our-firm/working-here/ , a diverse staff joins together to produce a united and effective team. GYMR’s diverse team brings a multitude of fresh perspectives for innovative results and the success of these efforts is clear. In 2010, GYMR received the Washington Women In Public Relations’ PR Woman of the Year award. This emphasizes the success of gender diversity in the workplace. More about this award is accessible at: http://wwpr.org/
GYMR language lesson
In healthcare public relations, maintaining a sensitivity toward those with disabilities is an especially important aspect of the job. http://www.miusa.org/ncde/tools/respect provides an excellent guide to what language is appropriate and offensive.
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I. Social Media Strategy For Job/Career
SEO: GYMR Public Relations
Summary Blurb: GYMR specializes in health, health care and social issue related public relations. Based in Washington, DC, GYMR prides itself on its traditional and social media and collaboration skills in order to produce the best results for clients.
GYMR’s recipe for results
Client satisfaction through quality messages
Keeping clients satisfied is no easy feat, but GYMR accomplishes this by combining teamwork collaboration, innovation and an eye on their media. Finding the right print and social media outlets GYMR the quality results that keep client retention high. GYMR’s twitter is a testament to their dedication to social media strategy. https://twitter.com/GYMRPR
Social Media opportunities
Today, it is impossible to have an effective public relations without a social media presence. Powerful public relations companies like GYMR can utilize the available social media tools including:
- Klout: to track their overall online presence
- YouTube: to upload videos of the events they create for their clients
- Tumblr: to create a multimedia blog that can include videos, images and blogs about their upcoming and past events.
- http://www.brandignity.com/2011/03/4-reasons-why-social-media-is-more-important-than-ever/ explains the importance of modern social media.
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Geller, GYMR Social Media. Pg 2.
Health is wealth
GYMR’s dedication to health-related industries including Every Child Matters is enhanced through social media. GYMR understands the intersection between public relations and public policy. By combing knowledge of these two fields, GYMR has helped push their clients issue forward by demonstrating the value of advanced medical technology to Capitol Hill. Furthermore, they make their solutions accessible to web-users. For more on GYMR’s efforts: http://gymr.com/case-studies/every-child-matters/
No if and or cigarette butts about it
GYMR’s clients aim to make the world a healthier place. For over a decade, GYMR and Tobacco-Free Kids have advocated for youth leadership and activism against tobacco usage, improving the quality of life for the kids they reach. These results can be seen at http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/who_we_are/
Jamiegells 