So long...

Me at my high school graduation. Red gowns UGH

Well the time has come, not only my last blog post, but today was also my last broadcast at WRHU. Through out my four years at Hofstra I have met so many amazing people, some not so amazing people, and grew more than I ever thought.
While I often complain about being a PR major, due to the stigma we receive in Dempster (don't act like you don't know), I am glad that advisor over freshman orientation told me about PR. If it weren't for him I'm not sure where I would of ended up.
I have always loved sharing with friends bands I was that I believed in when I was in HS, and now after my internship, I had the chance to do that. I worked on press for Hellogoodbye in November, and it was such a great experience. Now I hope to land a job that allows me to do that.

I played this song as my last song on WRHU, and I think it is fitting for my last blog post.

Bittersweet Symphony- The Verve

So thanks Hofstra its been real, and I really don't want to leave, but I will tell you one thing that I am excited for.
Never having to write another paper or go to class ever again.

See ya!
Heather

Blair Witch Project and Viral Market

Ok, Ok, so this was my midterm topic...but I find it so freaking interesting. Plus none of you had a chance to read it...so here is the basics:

In 1999, the Internet was still an undiscovered source. Not many people were sure how to use it to help them reach audiences and promote products, other than advertising. Most of the teenagers and college students that were online spent their time on message boards and in chat rooms. Enter The Blair Witch Project, a small independent film with a tiny budget.  This campaign is considered one of the first of its kind and named one of the best by Forbes Magazine in 2010.

Stories about three college documentary makers, Heather Donahue, Josh Leonard and Michael William, disappeared in the woods of Burkittsville, Maryland in October of 1994 while searching for the urban legend called the Blair Witch, started to appear through out message boards and often citing  blairwitch.com. It told the story of the “infamous” Blair Witch, and also told about the disappearances of the three college students. On the website news clips from local stations, police photos and a time line of the actions laid out perfectly for users to follow along with the story as it had happened. All of this made it easy to share on different websites, and soon spread across the internet like wild fire.

From footage that was "found" in the woods, The Blair Witch Project was born. Due to the ability to spread news quickly and the cost effectiveness of it, the directors of the movie decided to spread news of the project online, through something now know as viral marketing. Not only did the images and word spread about the film quickly, but a debate sparked, fueling more people's need to go see the film.

Viral marketing is now a great way to get fans involved and has grown since the basic days of The Blair Witch Project, but I love a good viral marketing campaign, like the one Lost had every off season.

Check out the Blair Witch Site if you would like, it is pretty sweet.

Till Next time!
Heather

Best PSA I have ever seen...

Everyone stop what you are doing and watch this.

PSAs are a part of PR that most people forget about, frankly I do have the time. However, May is National Melanoma Awareness Month. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and it spreads fast. This PSA brought the reminder that PR people make them, and they make them well.

This PSA by the end gave me chills, made me cry, and truly concerned about the health of my skin. I learned more about melanoma and what to be aware of, and these stories really touched me. What was even more interesting was that when I shared this with my friends via Facebook, they were also just as shocked. Many of my friends said that they would never tan again. Now why this may not be true- it left that effect.

So my PR friends- when it comes to our tools and tactics, don't under estimate a strong PSA such as this one. It really can leave a more lasting effect than you may ever know.

For a direct link to the Youtube page click here.

Until next time,

Heather

Reality TV and Twitter

I have something I would like to admit: I'm a sucker for reality television. Not the Real Housewives or Jersey Shore kind, but the real reality TV shows (that seems almost like an oxymoron). Yes I was addicitied to the Hills, but really I love shows like The Amazing Race, Top Chef, and last, but certianly not least, Survivor.

 

Its season 22 of Survivor - this season introducing Redemption Island!

I have watched Survivor since day one, all 22 seasons, through hidden immunity idols, blindsides, exile island, all star seasons, and now, redemption island. I even plan on auditioning to be on the show myself. If I can't be on the show, one day I would love to have Jeff Probst, the host of Survivor's job.

No no this isn't a personal love not to Survivor, I do have something PR related to go with it. Many reality stars/actors will ask if their viewers enjoyed the show via twitter, but CBS and Jeff Probst have been doing something completely new (and awesome in my biased opinion).

How can you not love this man?


Every week Jeff Probst will live tweet the Survivor episode with the east coast, and then most of the time with the west coast. These tweets deal with Jeff's thoughts, answering questions from fans, behind the scenes information, and Jeff asking the fans what they think is going to happen. This has lead to a more interactive experience to viewing the show.

Examples of his tweets from tonight

Through this Jeff Probst and Survivor have created, as they call it, the interactive living room. Over the weeks its advanced with tags and twitpics, and now even Jeff also blogs about the show the next day with more of his inside thoughts.

As a fan I love how interactive all of this is and I think it has helped the fan base grow tighter and even larger. Check it out yourself! You can follow Jeff at www.twitter.com/jeffprobst

Till next time!
Heather

P.S- My pick to win? 

Boston Rob =)

The job of a music publicist...

So rumors have now appeared on the Internet of Chris Browns publicist quitting. Now, why this may be true (which I don't know if I were her I necessarily would, seems a bit to soon) it brings to light the job of the music publicist.

(The story of my life at the shows I attend. I always feel so old! circa Winter 2007)

For those of you who don't know, my interest in Public Relations (or I guess just my interest in life) rests in music. I've known this since about 8th grade/freshman year in high school, whether it was at first music journalist, then running my own venue, to finally publicity, it was always where my passion has been. People seem to confuse the idea of being a celebrity publicist and a music publicist sometimes, hence the confussion of Chris Brown's publicist.

Music publicists are signed on to get publicity for a CD, tour, music video, etc. things that deal with the musician themselves. Sometimes things happen (i.e Chris Brown) and for that, if it doesn't involve their music, they probably have a different publicist, or their manager, that will step in a take care of what happened.

And that my dear classmates/readers, is what happened here. According to TMZ, Chris Brown's publicist, Tammy Brook, term ended. In her statement she says

"I am an entertainment/music publicist and was hired as a publicist, as they often are, to work specifically on his music publicity for the term up to the release of Chris Brown's F.A.M.E. album, which was released on Tuesday March 22 and is entering the Billboard and iTunes charts at number 1 this week."

All of which you just read here! So before you read about it everywhere online, and talk about it in every single one of you PR classes, you now will know the difference between Chris Brown's publicist, and lets say, Charlie Sheen's (YIKES!)

Till next time!

Heather

Every Barbie Needs Her Ken...

Hello world (and my PR 107 class) and welcome to my blog. Not sure exactly what shape this blog will take, but I'm going to take it post by post, and share my PR journey and my thoughts on certain campaigns with you through out the semester.

To kick things off I wanted to share with you a campaign that has really caught my eye the last couple days.

Now I'm not sure if many of you know this, but Barbie and Ken broke up in 2004 ( I know what you're thinking, if they can't make it how will anyone!) Barbie left Ken for a new Australian surfer hunk named Blaine. But good news for all of you, Ken is trying to win Barbie back! (Check out the video above to see Ken finding Barbie on Match.com)

He went through a huge transformation and is now sharing all of his and Barbie's favorite spots via social networks.

(what a hunk)

Throughout the website Barbieandken.com you can see this history of Barbie and Ken, watch the Hulu show "Genuine Ken", and follow your favorite plastic toys on Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare (Check out below for links to both of their sites). Through these Ken is sharing his favorite activities that he used to do with Barbie, their favorite places, and much more. After this (or before if you just can't wait) you can vote if Barbie should take back Ken.

Barbie and Ken in Toy Story 3

I, personally, think this campaign is great. It uses all of the popular social networking sites to reintroduce you to Ken and Barbie. I love being able to follow their stories through the social media, and best of yet, this is just in time for Valentine's Day!

So what do you think? Should Barbie take back Ken? Or are they better off apart?

Till next time!

Heather


Ken
Twitter
Facebook
Foursquare

Barbie
Twitter
Facebook
Foursquare