Learn to SURVIVE

Hi all!

So, here I am going to continue talking about my intern life in Homes Property Management. As I mentioned before, my company's objective is to promote brand awareness. So, promotional material is a must.

After a deep discussion with Tris, we decided to redesign the company brochures first. From what we have seen in the current brochure, the pictures on the brochure are not that relevant to the company. Some of the information can be removed and the slogan can be shortened.  Besides, as it is printed in both Chinese and English versions, the translation in the Chinese version needs to be improved.

Previous version of company brochure

Our team had a longer discussion on both design and content of the brochure. As everyone has different views, we tried to work on together, listen to each other in order to get the task completed within the deadline given by our MD, Tris. I was assigned to come out with some different slogans for the company and made some short and catchy words on the content of the brochure that can be attracted by the public. However, after we had done the brochure, here comes another issue, Tris did not accept our design and content of the brochure and did not want the design of the brochure to be too complicated. So, we were told to make changes and work on it again and again.

I felt a little unhappy when Tris wanted us to redo it for a few times, but I tolerated  and learnt to respect her decision and completed it within the deadline. Besides, I have also learnt how to get along with other colleagues and listen to each other, even you didn't agree on what he/she had said. I knew that working in a real life is not that easy and this is probably what I need to learn to "SURVIVE" in a real life company.

On the other hand, I started to read more local newspapers and magazines in order to know more about the media angles each media outlet has emphasized on, so that I am able to identify which media outlet can be targeted for my company to advertise or publish feature story in future use.

Overall, I am quite satisfied with the outcome of the brochure. I hope the first step of our strategies can eventually help to increase the company awareness within the local community.

More to come next week.

Yee Ting Ch'ng

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A Colourful Beginning - MAGENTA

I was first inspired by Magenta when I was fifteen during a high school work experience program.  In one fantastic week I collected a kaleidoscope of experiences that opened my eyes to the Public Relations/Fashion/Marketing industry. Some of my most treasured Magenta memories include; helping backstage at a fashion parade sending lambs down the runway and filling a bath with chocolate milk for a photo shoot.  For many years to follow I felt inspired and completely enchanted by my first glimpse of Magenta.  The experience eventually encouraged my decision to enroll in the Public Relations course at Curtin University with the hope to potentially pursue a career in the industry. 

Three years later, I was very near the completion of my degree with the exception of my PR Professional Practice unit. Equipped with a broader knowledge of the industry I was eager to apply the skills I had gained from my studies.  Magenta was my paramount preference as a location for work experience in the PR industry.  It is widely known as a young, cutting-edge PR agency that has its finger on the pulse of the local, national and international creative scene. I was ecstatic to learn that my request to complete an Internship at Magenta had been accepted.

Magenta was established in 1999 by Public Relations expert Melissa Lekias and her partner, internationally acclaimed street artist Stormie Mills.  Together they have designed a boutique communication/marketing studio that delivers innovative creative communication solutions to service an international market.  

I had butterflies as I walked into the Magenta office space for the first time. A set of large glass doors led me towards an impressive New York skyline photograph that formed the backdrop to the front of the Magenta office.  My initial nerves were pleasantly halted as I took a moment to absorb the new surroundings.  Instantly delighted by the incredible collection of artworks that adorned the walls, I was very intrigued to see more of the Magenta world.

Reception at Magenta

Greeted by my supervisor, I was kindly given a tour of the office workspace and introduced to the Magenta team. The Magenta magic took place in a converted warehouse that had been transformed by the creative talents of Melissa Lekias and Stormie Mills. Large prints of magazine covers, editorials and photographs framed the office workstations, showcasing the achievements of the Magenta team. I was thrilled by the thought of working in such an inspiring environment for the duration of my Public Relations Internship. 

The day commenced with a 9:00am meeting where all staff came together to discuss current work being carried out for Magenta’s clients.  The Client Services team, Graphic Designers and Office Administrators were given the opportunity to examine the agenda for the coming week and review the action plan.  The meeting enabled staff to gain a clear overview of the work they had been allocated and the chance to discuss implementation of strategies in order to complete tasks and meet deadlines.

The first task I was assigned involved creating online event listings for one of Magenta’s national clients.  I uploaded event photographs with their corresponding event descriptions to create the online event listings. This task enabled me to become familiar with the following four websites:

• http://my247.com.au/home.aspx
• http://www.eventbrite.com.au/
• http://www.liveguide.com.au/      
• http://www.eventful.com.au/

Uploading the online event listings was a relatively time-consuming task but a valuable one nonetheless.  All four sites offer free event registration and provide an effective online platform to promote events to a digital audience.  Taking advantage of such websites allows Magenta to make an impact through online exposure, which further assists clients to participate in a digital media landscape that caters to the needs of their technologically savvy audience. 

The events featured an Australian celebrity ambassador who was chosen for the client’s campaign to enhance the customers’ admiration for the client’s brand.  Magenta works extensively with the celebrity market and has access to an unrivalled database of Australian and International stars and contacts.  Magenta firmly believes that,

“having the right ambassador on board also contributes to successful key message delivery to an often more receptive audience and provides increased media opportunities” (Magenta, 2013).

I was feeling very privileged to be involved with such an exclusive and established PR agency and determined to absorb all that I could over the weeks to follow!

Keep an eye out for my next post giving a first hand insight of strategies to combat online trolls!

Jacinta McDonald #13958888 

Magenta. (2013). Ambassador Management. Retrieved from http://www.magenta.net.au/ambassador-management