“Winners grin but losers wait” – The National Broadband Network for WA

The National broadband Network, which has been a large topic Australia wide in connecting the country with broadband, communications and digital economy. It all comes down to politics and what each state and national government can do to provide the service of superfast broadband to all Australians in urban and regional towns (with optical fibre – FTTP). The attached article from Friday, March 30 in The West Australian describes the access of the broadband network in the next three years and the many suburbs and areas missing the cut for the service (described as areas lacking economic benefit). The article describes the squabble between NBN Co., Julia Gillard and opposing communications minister Malcolm Turnbull.

These proposed government projects, like many others is down to power and finances with governments continually promising, contesting and controlling the country and each state. My thoughts on the above article is similar to any other regulation pending through parliament and the community not getting their tax paying dollars’ worth.  It is above any persons control and the on-going time it seems to take to be completed. Many other projects that seem to take centuries for governments to complete, for example; freeway extensions, proposed sporting stadiums or any other infrastructure project, recently large news in Perth with the city waterfront project.

The comments back and forth by government leaders and always stating the opposite of each response to try and claim the right or wrong, but with politics who really knows what is right and wrong and what is best for the country? There are daily articles in the newspaper on each liberal and labour government policies and actions, all stating words like spokesman or spokeswoman and the arguments between each that seem never ending.  

I think the broadband network is way overdue as Australia seems far behind the rest of the world in the available communication resources, in saying that we are isolated compared to other countries. In projects like this, not everyone is going to be happy and at this point the only very central suburbs will benefit from the fast speed connection. I love how the article explains all the positive points from NBN Co. on the project and the opposition stating that NBN is behind its original targets. All that eventuates is which government can really do the right thing and make everyone happy? 

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/13300392/winners-grin-but-losers-wait/

Group Projects

Many Public Relations agencies or individuals working in the field write blogs to inform others on certain trends, tips or information and support on the industry. This can be a help guide to be the best possible PR specialist, support networks or projects to undertake and how to approach them in the planning stages. A few of these blogs found included http://online-pr.blogspot.com.au/ and http://publicrelationssydney.com.au/.

Group projects in Public Relations can vary from small to large depending on the account, client and agency objectives, internal or external affairs and finance available. Group Projects need to be approached through a holistic view as there are many things to consider for yourself and the peers you are working with.

Most Important Tips:

·         Complete individual work and work assigned as a team to the best of your ability

·         Communication, communication, communication (to keep all members informed and on top of the project)

·         Brainstorm and allocate tasks evenly

·         Identify each members work ethics and delegate tasks accordingly (a person’s strengths should be used in areas of the project)

·         Contribute but also listen to all ideas presented

·         Respect and acknowledge everyone’s involvement

Communication and working to the best of your ability is the key to make group assignments/projects effective. That is the thing about team work, if not everyone plays a part then the project will lag in one way or another. Past experience has been very successful and not so successful due to people not pulling their weight or communicating with one another on the tasks at hand.

And finally make sure you have fun doing it!

Survived my first Emirates Western Force Game

I was recently given a great opportunity as marketing intern at RugbyWA (Western Force) for the 2012 season. Working alongside the branding manager and partnerships team for each home game, the first being Friday 9^th March. Following two days in the office preparing for the game, it came to start preparation at NIB Stadium at 12pm. It was all new exciting but something needing to be completed every hour until kick off, this included setting up promotional activity, signage in change rooms, grandstands and corporate areas and navigating my way around the field with headsets to communicate with all employees associated with the game.

Throughout the game my role included:

·         Meeting junior captain, getting him ready for the coin toss and showing him around the field while The Western Force and The Hurricanes warmed up.

·         Organising access passes and jerseys for the competition winners at half time Emirates promotion

·         Helping out with flag bearers around the field

·         Setting down of promotional activity at one of the gates

·         Preparing players for signing at the end of the match with balls and textas for ‘fans on the field’, also continuing handing out promotional activity (on this particular day – Nathan Sharpe masks for his 150^th game)

The audience and all the players go home leaving an empty stadium, to my unbelief that’s not where the job ends for the RugbyWA employees. All sponsorship and promotional activity needs to be bumped out of the stadium including corporate rooms and tents. All other relevant signage and event paperwork all packed up to go back to the office. One very long day…I had nerves throughout at not knowing the complete progress for the game to be a success but enjoyed the activities, learning new things constantly and working with a lot of different people.

I hope you enjoy reading about my first hand event experience but the portrayal of fun parties and glamour is definitely not the case preparing for a Super Rugby game…Its hard work and preparation across the event staff, commercial team, coaching staff and operations unit.

BRING ON GAME NUMBER TWO on 31^st March.

Added some pictures below;

WIFI Hotspots - Welcome to 2012

I think this marketing project ‘Homeless People turned into WIFI Hotspots’ is a good idea as it is a charitable innovation initiative and offering homeless individuals to be a part of something in the community. In this day new ideas have to be brainstormed and introduced with technology and digital media constantly changing and expanding. This project is catering around media advancement, involving charities and helping people in need.  It is offering homeless individuals an opportunity to sell a digital device and I cannot see a problem with the project, if everyone using the wifi is donating for the service.

People living on the streets is exists all around the world and if a project like this can help them raise more funds for them and surrounding shelters then why not? It is also reminding the public that they are capable to be a part of a development and the struggles some people face in society.  It is great that they are getting paid for something like this as many of them are incapable of gaining employment, I also did some extra research and they are getting paid $20.00 per day plus all donations for the Wifi service.

The only problem I can see with the marketing project is if the branding company BBH – New York are gaining profits for developing the idea and any further costs they require from the homeless shelters or charities involved. Unfortunately there are many people living on the streets struggling with life every day and if there is a way to help them out with food or shelter then I don’t see a problem with it. The project needs to be demonstrated in the exact same way and respecting all people involved.

Please check out the article here:  http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a//world/13152191/homeless-people-wifi-hotspots/

The Purpose of blogging in Public Relations?

I searched over numerous Public Relations blogs, particularly observing ones from the agencies I networked last week. I found discussions or the same information frequently posted online, all in relation to social media and the impact it has on the PR world. Social media is not only becoming an important part of Public Relations but plays a big part in our lives today with online communication used to such a great extent.

Public Relation blogs ultimately promote the agency to future clients, customers or anyone looking at their website. It gives followers information on future events coming up, benefits of their services and articles of what is occurring in the industry. E.g. upcoming award nights. It is also a help guide for all PR agencies for networking, marketing, social media and linked in. All industries are ever evolving around technology and blogging is opening up discussions and conveying ideas and opinions for all readers/followers.

Public Relation blogs are also displaying company involvement, credentials, employees, success stories and industry knowledge to have a positive effect on a future customer/client base. General news in PR is presented, with information, results and insights on areas effecting PR, e.g. communications, advertising and marketing. As all social media channels need to be monitored, Public Relation agencies need to keep it informative and up to date for anyone reading it.

Our lives today are driven around online activities and for any successful business in this industry; ultimately they need to be online to be seen.  Blogging in PR is all based around networking and communication between business to business and business to customer/client.