Hi everyone,
I am Jenna Rivalland from Charles Telfair Institiute (CTI) in Mauritius. I have started my internship the 19TH January, already two weeks gone, unfortunately because of internet problems it is my first post. I am actually intern at New Mauritius Hotel ltd at the communication department. New Mauritius Hotel has actually two division, Beachcomber hotels and Plaisance Catering ltd. Beachcomber hotels is a Mauritian company and is the leader of the hospitality industry in Mauritius, it owns and manages eight hotels in Mauritius and one in the Seychelles.
My first apprehension was whether I would be able to put all my theoretical knowledge into practice, since it was the communication department and not a PR department as such. This may sound a bit stupid since PR is communication with all the publics!!! I was very pleased to observe that the department deals with media relations, media clippings and monitoring and with the company newsletter. During my first two weeks I have been able to deal with two different publics, in fact the media and the employees.
New Mauritius Hotels have a fantastic newsletter, Beachnews, which they distribute to each employee and the media. For the company, particularly for the department it is more than a newsletter it is a way for everyone in the company to feel of kin. The newsletter is a bimonthly magazine relating the life of the company, its new projects and the life of each hotel. The company has a specific culture, that’s where all the theory about corporate culture and hofstede cultural dimension comes into practice. Everyone feels at home in the company, the atmosphere is very relax and friendly. For me this newsletter contribute a lot to this specific culture. I think that they have also created a good way to keep inform the media without having to sent media releases at all times, particularly when the information are not newsworthy. I don’t know what do you think about it? Is it the same where you are working?
I have been able to observe media relations and the company has very good relations with practically all the Mauritian media, being a small island there are few media to deal with. I think that the fact that two of my colleges are ex-journalist contributes a lot to this situation. For me networking in this industry is crucial, particularly in my country. I don’t know if where you are it is the same. Already two articles were published in the newspaper about the demolition/reconstruction of one of the oldest hotel of the group, The Trou aux Biches hotel. The happening was so newsworthy that one newspaper contacted the department to cover the event. I have deal with the journalist covering the event giving all the information necessary about the hotel and its history.
However one radio has communicated false information about the company, they inform that one of the company’s future project, namely an Integrated Resort Scheme and a hotel will be ready in 2010, while the opening is due in 2012. This information was even written black and white on the company’s website. This media has not even contacted the company to have information about the subject. I understand now why sometimes there are in conflict relationship with PR practitioners and the media. Fortunately this information was not detrimental to the company’s image but it could have been!
My first two weeks was very enriching particularly to see how the theory works in practice. I wish all of you are enjoying this experience.
For more information about Beachcomber look at this link http://www.beachcomber-hotels.com/destinations/
I am Jenna Rivalland from Charles Telfair Institiute (CTI) in Mauritius. I have started my internship the 19TH January, already two weeks gone, unfortunately because of internet problems it is my first post. I am actually intern at New Mauritius Hotel ltd at the communication department. New Mauritius Hotel has actually two division, Beachcomber hotels and Plaisance Catering ltd. Beachcomber hotels is a Mauritian company and is the leader of the hospitality industry in Mauritius, it owns and manages eight hotels in Mauritius and one in the Seychelles.
My first apprehension was whether I would be able to put all my theoretical knowledge into practice, since it was the communication department and not a PR department as such. This may sound a bit stupid since PR is communication with all the publics!!! I was very pleased to observe that the department deals with media relations, media clippings and monitoring and with the company newsletter. During my first two weeks I have been able to deal with two different publics, in fact the media and the employees.
New Mauritius Hotels have a fantastic newsletter, Beachnews, which they distribute to each employee and the media. For the company, particularly for the department it is more than a newsletter it is a way for everyone in the company to feel of kin. The newsletter is a bimonthly magazine relating the life of the company, its new projects and the life of each hotel. The company has a specific culture, that’s where all the theory about corporate culture and hofstede cultural dimension comes into practice. Everyone feels at home in the company, the atmosphere is very relax and friendly. For me this newsletter contribute a lot to this specific culture. I think that they have also created a good way to keep inform the media without having to sent media releases at all times, particularly when the information are not newsworthy. I don’t know what do you think about it? Is it the same where you are working?
I have been able to observe media relations and the company has very good relations with practically all the Mauritian media, being a small island there are few media to deal with. I think that the fact that two of my colleges are ex-journalist contributes a lot to this situation. For me networking in this industry is crucial, particularly in my country. I don’t know if where you are it is the same. Already two articles were published in the newspaper about the demolition/reconstruction of one of the oldest hotel of the group, The Trou aux Biches hotel. The happening was so newsworthy that one newspaper contacted the department to cover the event. I have deal with the journalist covering the event giving all the information necessary about the hotel and its history.
However one radio has communicated false information about the company, they inform that one of the company’s future project, namely an Integrated Resort Scheme and a hotel will be ready in 2010, while the opening is due in 2012. This information was even written black and white on the company’s website. This media has not even contacted the company to have information about the subject. I understand now why sometimes there are in conflict relationship with PR practitioners and the media. Fortunately this information was not detrimental to the company’s image but it could have been!
My first two weeks was very enriching particularly to see how the theory works in practice. I wish all of you are enjoying this experience.
For more information about Beachcomber look at this link http://www.beachcomber-hotels.com/destinations/
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