9/02/12
They say that working in the Public Relations industry you are required to know the key concepts and have the ability to explore the avenues of networking and communication. I believe that Public Relations are beyond that - you really do need to know everything– especially when it concerns technology!
I am in my third week working as a PR Assistant with Director of the tourism operator "Journeys of the Spirit" Julie Baker. There have been very successful project completions already but there have also been many challenges.
After creating a PR/Marketing Strategy for Julie in the first week of my internship we have since started to get the ball rolling. The first project in which we needed to focus our thoughts on was to hold a free film and information night to attract current and/or potential clients in joining either the Bhutan or Spanish retreat in May this year.
The event is going to be held in a couple of weeks, but to get the word out there Julie and I brainstormed what we could do that would be seen by the most appropriate demographic for the retreats. We produced an E-Newsletter about the event that will be sent out to those on Julie's Database, we notified Julie's web designer to update the website, publishing a notice of the event on her homepage and finally our biggest challenge was to contact the West Australian's Travel Editor in order to produce a "travel shortcuts" segment that will advertise the event to WA travel readers. This was all achieved in a day’s work which I believe is a reasonably good effort!
Now, referring back to why I believe PR Practitioners need to know everything; producing movies and aperture slideshows is not an easy task when you are not familiar or haven’t touch based with Mac software in a long time. When Julie presented to me the idea of having photo books, a video on her website, Promo DVD’s and slideshows for her presentations I didn’t realise how much of a challenge it would be to do so without a little help from a professional. Julie and I decided it would be best to visit the Apple store in the city and book a One-to-One session for using Mac I-photo, aperture and I-movie in order for Julie and me to familiarise with the programs and begin on the projects.
I strongly recommend making an appointment at Apple if you need to know how to use any of the Mac software throughout your internship. I had learnt so much from an Apple assistant named Deni who showed Julie and me how to use all the software – and I started to remember how I used the program back when I made movies in year 12 for media class. They provide excellent service and provide all the answers to the most difficult of questions.
I believe my next challenge will be to get the ball rolling on producing a promotion DVD for Bhutan and Spain retreats for May this year. I am looking forward to the challenge and although it is a lot of work editing a 3 to 4 minute video, I believe it is the fun part of being a PR Assistant for Julie Baker.
Click on this link if you want to know more about the Mac “One-to-One” sessions at the Apple Store on Hay Street, Perth
I wish everyone the best of luck with their internship! I look forward to reading your posts =)
Chiara
Bentley Campus
