STM SHOOT – IT’S TIME TO GET YOUR SEWELLERY ON

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” – Ansel Adams

Welcome to my fourth reflection on my placement at the one40william division and 140-retail sector.

STM SHOOT

I was given the opportunity to work alongside Teagan Sewell (stylist and designer) for an STM photo shoot incorporating her own jewellery label from her line ‘Sewellery’. Sewellery has a retail space at one40william, thus incorporating a campaign to promote one40william in this exclusive STM photo shoot.

From the get go I felt that my role at the shoot was as important as anyone else’s. The shoot took place at the architecturally stunning Heath Ledger Theatre in the CBD. After a tour of the Theatre and deciding on where the shots should be taken it was time to start preparing the clothing and jewellery that would be included in each shot. All jewellery used was ‘Sewellery’ and the clothing ranged from Ellery to Givenchy.

From the first click of the camera, the shoot was finally underway. It was such a great to have a ‘behind the scenes’ first hand experience to see how much work goes into getting one amazing shot.

From previously sitting there on a Sunday I would flick through the fashion photography in the STM choosing the photo’s I like the best, to now appreciating the hard work and long hours that are required to put these looks and shots together. I learnt especially the amount of hard working people required to form the team to create such photography shoots come together.

I was honored to be part of such a team that worked so well together, especially when my ideas and advice was asked when styling the outfits and going through the final shots.

The team included the following:

·       Teagan Sewell (and 2 interns);

·       Photographer (and 1 intern)

·       2 Film Crew;

·       Makeup Stylist;

·       Hair Stylist and

·       Myself

COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY

Throughout the STM shoot I found the most essential element was verbal communication. Of course in public relations written communication is significant in all areas of work, however, verbal communication is just as important.

Utilizing excellent verbal communication has been cemented as a result of my internship from the roles that I have required to adopt. Through out units at Curtin, we are repeatedly reminded of the significance of high standards of verbal communication, however, having to demonstrate this in a real corporate sense confirms such importance.

I feel as though I am growing through my experiences whilst completing my placement at one40william.

The shoot is being published on the 26th of September so look out for the exclusive shoot in this Sunday's STM!

Until more 140 experiences,

Alexandra Wheeler

(14866393)

IT’S ALL ABOUT ADAPTABILITY and MANAGEMENT

From sitting at the computer working on communication campaigns to directly liaising with stakeholders, the work of public relations professionals is consistently changing.

The past weeks at the one40william office has been a busy and exciting time as the retail division 140 continues to gain exposure in the CBD and beyond.

ADAPTABILITY

My roles over the past weeks have been constantly changing, and I have seen myself needing to adapt to various tasks and situations quickly and with ease. I have assisted with various elements of 140’s public relations sector, from assisting with a social media strategy to communicating with key stakeholders.

The following are the roles (on average) that I will complete during one day of interning:

• Media Clippings
• Communication Campaign Brainstorming
• Distribution of Communication Packages to Retailers
• Taking Instagram Photos throughout 140 (140 Instagram Strategy)
• Phone calls to stakeholders
• Assisting with 140 campaigns
• Conducting research

It is through these wide ranges of roles that I have had the ability to widen my experience of dealing with adaptability and how to change from job to job. The fast thinking and role changing work environment that I have been exposed to has increased my skills within the workplace and will certainly assist me in my future career.

Through my placement at the one40william offices I have been able to realise the importance of being adaptable to various situations, roles and workplaces.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

Stakeholders, target market and target audiences are the drivers behind any communication campaigns and releases that a public relations professional develops and distributes. However, it is the level of stakeholder management required to ensure that relationships are cemented with those who are influential to the success of a brand or business.

140 Perth prides itself on maintaining high communication relationships with its retailers. Therefore, I was required to ensure that I had high verbal communication skills to interact and liaison with retailers and other 140 key stakeholders.

When liaising with retailers, I was required to distribute communication material from the one40william Building Management team

Recently, I ventured out to all of the retailers to gain feedback and an insight into how the retailers are coping with the newly passed legislation and implementation of Sunday Trading. This form of one-on-one market research gave me the opportunity to really get to know the retail managers, their concerns and gain knowledge on retailer issues.

I feel as though the level of verbal communication that I use and the interaction with stakeholders (such as the retailers) has increased as a result of this role at one40william.

Until next time for more exciting 140 experiences,

Alexandra Wheeler 

INSTIGATING INSTAGRAM - SOCIAL MEDIA MANIA

As the forms of social media communication tools continue to grow, the demand for organisation to keep up is increasing!

Welcome to my second reflection on my placement at the one40william division owned by Jones Lang LaSalle. It has been a busy past few weeks as one40william prepares to enter re-development stage at the 140 Perth sector.

In today’s technology driven society, social media has taken the forefront of corporations communicating and engaging with their stakeholders. Although one40william currently has a Facebook page  and a Twitter account  and a 140 Blog on their website, 140 has recently entered the INSTAGRAM photo sharing world.

TIME TO INSTIGATE INSTAGRAM AT 140

As a result of the social media meeting that I attended regarding 140’s new INSTAGRAM strategy, I was given the role to liaison with Caitlin from Zebra (an organisation that specializes in social media and web design). We both set out to take interesting and creative shots of 140, to capture that unique brand image. It is a creative and exciting role that allows me to utilize the 140 brand position and interact with the retailers.

I was fortunate enough to experience and be a part of the step-by-step process required to create and form a social media tool. Steps were taken to ensure that the photos taken represented the 140 brand and in turn were able to capture the interest and attention of those whom were scrolling down their INSTAGRAM photo feed. Through the use of bright colours, two creative minds and bringing ideas beyond the ‘normal product’ Caitlin and I were able to capture images that were out of the ordinary. It proved that to be different is to think differently when using social media to communicate with your customers in today’s social media realm.

As 140 Perth has recently begun its social media exposure on INSTAGRAM it is receiving great support and exposure. Not only communicating 140’s brand tag line “The 140 Difference” but also promoting the retailers and the products offered at 140 Perth.

To view such creative and interesting images from 140 Perth, search ‘140 Perth’ on INSTAGRAM.

TODAY’S SOCIAL MEDIA

From Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Blogspot, YouTube…the options are endless! The large range of social media communication tools are highly accessible to corporations. However, through personally seeing social media used in a real life communication sense proves that the planning and management of social media is essential to ensure that it is effective and stands out from competitors.

As a result of my experience with initiating INSTAGRAM for the 140 brand, I found the most essential aspect was the planning period. Planning was the most significant step to ensure that when images were released to the public that they were stimulating and enticing. Therefore the planning and periodic management of such a social media tool is crucial to ensure that 140 does not fade into the INSTAGRAM background but leads the forefront of creativity.

I am enjoying every aspect of my placement as the day’s fly by at one40william. To finally be completing an internship instead of casually volunteering at events has proven to be exciting, insightful and allows me to use my creative ideas.

Until next time,

Alexandra Wheeler