This is my last blog post for my time at the festival. So far, I have blogged about the highlights of working in the arts, the importance of PR in profile building and stakeholder relations, and techniques for effective use of social media.
In this blog post, I would like to reflect on the major lessons I have learnt during my internship and how I believe my internship will prepare me for a career in public relations.
Lesson One: For me, I think it is so important to work for company whose values and motivations I believe in. This is particularly true when working in public relations or media relations, as it is your job to build a favourable image of the organisation amongst the public. As my supervisor Jo says, it is so much easier to promote a company when you believe in its role and purpose. As graduates we can’t really pick and choose our jobs, but this is something I will keep in mind and strive towards as I gain more experience.
Lesson Two: A greater understanding of online media opportunities as a key tool for stakeholder communication. My in depth online media strategy gave me a great opportunity to compare and contrast different techniques. It became clear that there are some key trends you should implement in order to fully take advantage of these avenues. This is a very practical lesson I can take with me to future public relations roles.
Lesson Three: An appreciation of all the aspects and phases that go into planning and staging an event. Including securing the artists, ticketing, organizing transport and accommodation, technical aspects and staging, advertising, catering and hospitality, printing and distributing marketing collateral, ensuring sponsors and media are catered to and a whole host of other activities.
Lesson Four: If you want to get satisfaction and enjoyment out of your work, you need to take responsibility. It’s important to start with the small jobs and work your way up. This way, you get a better idea of all the aspects that go into public relations strategy, from compiling a media database to writing and distributing media releases. Although some tasks can seem tedious, you have to earn your stripes before you can start working on more interesting jobs. When you are given ownership of a task, this is where you can really start to enjoy the work.
I look forward to continuing my relationship with the festival and plan to attend some of their events, including the official Program Launch at the Concert Hall, as well as a number of shows next year. I’m really looking forward to attending some of the dance shows and contemporary music at ‘The Beck’s Music Box’ and checking out visual arts displays throughout the city. The opening night is a free event, and is going to be really special.
If seeing some great international and local artists in various venues around Perth appeals to you, then keep your eyes pealed for the official Brochure Launch on November 4th.
You can preorder a brochure and keep up to date with Festival news by visiting http://www.perthfestival.com.au/
Thanks, Ros Brennan
1 comment:
Hi Ros,
After reading your final blog I felt that you gave a great overview of the lessons that we will all eventually learn through our own placement opportunities!
Having completed my internship with Sunset Events I definitely agree that you begin to appreciate the depth of events management. I too have also considered the 'fit' of an organisation to your own beliefs and interested.
And having taken on a position that could be considered not so glamorous in the grander picture, I most certainly believe that you have to take responsibility and work your way up to where you want to be.
Thanks for such an enlightening and concise blog and goodluck with everything!
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