Reflections on the Semester
Posted by: Lee Anne on: December 3, 2008
I really can’t believe the semester is coming to end. It really has flown by. While everyone is scurrying around, studying for finals, finishing last minute projects, and doing pointless busywork–I decided to pick three main things that have either happened this semester or that I have learned about:
1. Firing Coach Tommy Bowden. The number one has to be the firing of Coach Tommy Bowden. When the news errupted around campus, people were literally cheering in the horseshoe, the library, and the cafeteria. The outbreak was one of triumph, relief, and a better hope for the future. Dabo has now been named head coach and the consensus around campus is excitement.
2. Twitter. I never really knew what Twitter was until my public relations class here at Clemson. I really didn’t think it was that big of a deal at first and knew that I would not become interested. However, after I become more and more experienced with tweets, I found myself constantly checking to see what people were up to and if anyone had responded to my tweets. I am excited to get more involved in the social media world.
3.The presidential election. We have marked history and I am thrilled that I was able to be a part of it. This was my first year to vote and I will never forget it. This election was so intense but the outcome literally changed history forever. I am excited to see what Obama will do for our country.
Jettzone.com
Posted by: Lee Anne on: November 26, 2008
Is it bad to do 3 blog posts in one day? Anyways, I forgot to talk about this PR example in class this semester, so I figured I would blog about it 
Every year, my high school, J.L. Mann, in Greenville, has a spirit week in competition with its rival-Greenville High. We work all week long with activities such as car washes, class competitions, concerts, carnivals, date auctions, senior slaves, you name it. The most we have ever raised in one week was $123,000 for different charities.
This year was different.
The charity that J.L. Mann decided to give its money to was Habitat for Humanity. The students of J.L. Mann would take all of the money raised and build houses in honor of four Mann grads who lost their lives last year–three of which were involved in the Ocean Isle Fire, the other in a tragic accident in Columbia.
In order to make this public, J.L. Mann conducted a website called Jettzone.com. JETT stands for the four people who lost their lives–Justin, Emily, Travis, and Taylor. Donations were available online through the website. Anyone could donate by the click of a button. President Jimmy Carter even sponsored the event and wrote a letter saying how proud he was of how the school was handling such a loss and putting it to good use.
J.L. Mann ended up raising an outstanding $340,000–in ONE WEEK. The whole community really came together to show their love and support. Students will be able to build about 6 houses in honor of the four students who were so greatly loved and who had such an impact in the community.
Jettzone.com was an excellent example of PR. The website really got the word out about the spirit week events, how to donate, and what the charity was in honor of. Jimmy Carter’s note was also extremely moving. It is amazing how in one week, a school and community can come together and raise such an enormous amount of money.
I spoke with the treasurer of the school who stated, “It was crazy how nothing mattered this week-tests, homework, quizzes. All that mattered was our school, coming together to raise money for four amazing people who we all loved so much, that were lost. We all worked so hard together and accomplished so much more than we ever thought.” –Senior treasurer, Danielle Meyers
PR examples, everywhere!
Posted by: Lee Anne on: November 26, 2008
Before taking the Public Relations Principles class at Clemson University, I really did not reazlie how many examples of PR there are around us. We were only required to find three in the semester, but I could have talked about many, many more!
After browsing through other blogs by students in my class, I began remembering what everyone talked about in class. There were examples from television commercials, online databases, face to face, brochures, magazine articles, and the list goes on.
It is so funny how now that I am a little more experienced in the field of PR, I notice things. Whenever I experience a form of public relations, I automatically think, “Dr. V. would love this!.” Am I crazy?
Advice for PR students
Posted by: Lee Anne on: November 26, 2008
While browsing through PROpen mic, which I am becoming addicted to, I stumbled upon a blog post entitled PR students: everything you need to know. This was extremely eye catching, as I am a PR student still trying to learn everything there is about social media and PR, so I decided to check it out. On this post by Darryl Ohrt, I found a link to results that Twitter buddy Brad Ward found about advice people would give college students in PR, in 140 characters or less, on Twitter. The results were astounding!
Some key points that people tweeted about:
- Always understand your audience and goals before discussing strategy/tactics. –DJLitten
- Tell people the whole truth. Half-truths may make for warm-fuzzy PR, but the public will see through it. The e-public isn’t stupid–Bruingeek
- Learn to write. Don’t get into PR for the parties … it’s about preparation and perspiration. Love what you do, do what you love.–TimeNekritz
It is so amazing to me to find out about the kidns of advice people give PR students. I feel as though I learn more and more about social media and ways to get involved!
MAC Makeup Reaches Out
Posted by: Lee Anne on: November 12, 2008
I was at the Haywood Mall in Greenville the other day when I heard about MAC’s recycling deal. For every 6 MAC containers brought in, a free tube of lipstick is awarded. This not only shows that MAC makeup cares about the environment and recycling, but also gets customers to come back into the store. I spoke with an employee who said that most of the time the customers bring in the containers only to get the free lipstick but end up buying many more products. MAC is doing great PR with its clients–they are showing their support for recycling, giving away free lipstick, and getting customers to come in and buy more products.
Response to Cheryl
Posted by: Lee Anne on: November 11, 2008
- In: Responses
- 2 Comments
After reading a blog post entitled Career Building for College Students by Cheryl, I realized that I need to get moving! She manages to do it all–college student, has a job, internships, other activities–the list is endless. Somehow, she gets it done and isn’t always stressed. She gave a few pointers to college students wishing to pursue a future career:
- get an internship
- build a portfolio
- build your network
Sadly, I am currently doing one but starting to do the other two! I’m a new member of Twitter and am already learning so many things about Twitter. I plan to have an internship next summer and I know who to talk to about what I would like to do and explore. Now all I need to do is get started on a portfolio!
BB Blogger Readings-Blogging
Posted by: Lee Anne on: November 3, 2008
I learned a lot about blogging successfully after reading the readings on blackboard. A few key ideas:
- When commenting on other blogs- do NOT seem selfish and loud. Instead, companies should come off as extremely humble and offer points of value.
- It is important to interact with bloggers. Personalization should occur. Topics of interest should be discussed. Add crosslinks–build blogger relations. It’s about them, not you!
- Make blog posts consise with main points extremely obvious. Always keep in mind what kind of audience you are targeting.
Greenville First Banking-building relationships
Posted by: Lee Anne on: November 3, 2008
Greenville First Bank, located in Greenville, South Carolina, strives to build relationships with its clients. There are several things Greenville First does to build and maintain long lasting relationships. Greenville First is not just a bank.
- Motto– to provide client first service
Greenville First believes that everything should be about the client. The office lobby has a fire place with magazines and flat screen televisions. The drive thru window also offers clients sodas and water. (not just the average lollipop that most banks offer!)
- no automated phone system
When you call Greenville First, you will always speak with someone. There is no automated phone system because they believe that communicating should be on a personal level and should not consist of listening to a long list and pushing a number.
- believe in relationship banking
Each client is assigned to a “team” which includes a lender and a client officer. Their numbers are given to the clients directly, so when the clients have a question-they directly dial into the banker’s office to speak to them personally.
Greenville First is known in Greenville as the “nice” bank, the one who is nice to all customers (not just rying (trying- 11/5) to get the job done), and the bank that actually makes friends with its clients. Greenville First is not just a bank–it is a bank where people enjoy going to.
Greenville First does excellent PR for its customers. They have a webiste, ads in local magzines such as Talk Magainze, newspaper ads, and billboards. Greenville First is known for its relationship banking.
Comment on 11/2/2008
Posted by: Lee Anne on: November 3, 2008
Comment on Paul Matson’s blogpost entitled “7 ways to keep people interested.” (through PROpenmic)
Comment on 11/6/08
Posted by: Lee Anne on: November 11, 2008
Comment on Cheryl’s blogpost entitled Career Building for College Students.