Tuesday, February 25, 2014

CU2021 - Public Relations Campaigns

The of CU2021 is to develop a theoretical and technical understanding of public relations and public relations campaigns.

To explore components of a campaign. To provide a critical analysis of different types of campaigns - elections, protests, corporate, etc (Why they succeed or how they fail?)

To examine and evaluate some of the critical planks of public relations.

Crisis management; issues management; media relations; PR writing.

To develop and execute a program of public relations using effective PR tools.

Public relations tools and activities

By using proven public relations (PR) tools and activities, you can promote positive attitudes and behaviours towards your business that will help convert interested consumers into customers. Read more at business.qld.gov.au.

Requirements in this subject: 

  • A media release - 15% 
  • A media alert - 3% 
  • 75 word or rationale on why you chose the particular angle you chose - 28 of March 2014. 
Assignment 2 - The Longest - Due 28 of May - Planning a full media campaign, strategies, goals, objectives together with the two tools based on the media campaign you are planning. 

Final Exam - 2 hours - 40% - Case study with some requirement to produce practical PR tools. Revision available in final lectures and tutorials. 

Tutorials - 10% - Do the readings, listen, read and keep up with the news. Tape part in class discussions. Contribute ideas and insights into the PR cases to be discussed. 

Course Campaigns - What are the components of a successful PR campaign? (Best job in the world - QLD Tourism, 2008 US Presidential campaign, Oprah, Elen, Yes we can - The 2008 US Presidential campaign)

How important is the relationship between an organisation and it's publics? (Marketing, Advertising, Communications) - Strategies - Apologise or deny responsibility... etc. 

How are these relationships fostered and maintained, particularly in times of crises? How would you address the aftermath of an environmental event... i.e. Townsville City Council, PR campaign on preparedness. 

Formative Research - Formative research looks at the community in which an agency is situated, and helps agencies understand the interests, attributes and needs of different populations and persons in their community. Formative research is research that occurs before a program is designed and implemented, or while a program is being conducted. Formative research can help. 

Read chapters 1, 2, 3 and 5 of textbook. 

Monday, February 24, 2014

Secret America

Undercover journalists Mariana and Darren journey to some of the country's most haunted locations and examine America's obsession with the paranormal. Read more about Secret America here.

Monday, December 30, 2013

The Real Port Hinchinbrook


Cardwell, gateway to Hinchinbrook Island and the World Heritage Wet Tropical Rainforest has had its fair share of issues ranging from environmental to the management of land in Australia's coastal zones.

The reality is a grim situations that speaks of a development that's been falling apart since many years before Cyclone Yasi.

From empty blocks, to countless houses for sale, to fallen trees and overgrown median strips, to weed spoiled bitumen, exposed electrical wires and irrigation hoses, bitumen that now resembles an unsealed or forestry road and streets that have been closed to the public in order to keep prying eyes out.

An agreement signed between the Williams Corporation and the government in the late 1990s binded the resort's owner to the continued maintenance of the sewerage system, roads, marina and other infrastructure at the resort.

In the past, there have been buyers interested in purchasing the resort and taking on the development. Most recently, Townsville businessman Tony Dotta expressed his interest in purchasing the site but was turned off from buying the resort after learning of the high maintenance costs.

Although he described purchasing the site as 'financial suicide' residents will remember Dotta for the removal of Villas from the Port's resort, which was just on the other side of this fence.

As the development is still private land the council and state government have no direct responsibility to maintain the infrastructure, despite parts of the development being available for public use such as the existing boat ramp that also provides direct access to the Hinchinbrook Channel.

Those crowds that often come from neighbouring regional centres such as Townsville and Cairns of a weekend, often pack the boat ramp out and are believed to be the main cause for the deteriorating resort roads.

Residents of the resort have a responsibility to pay both the resort's body corporate fees and council rates.

Prior to the development being proposed the Joh Bjelke-Peterson government had commissioned a feasibility study to determine the best placement for a port along the Northern Coast, between the Hinchinbrook Channel and Clump Point - at Mission Beach.

In the report, it outlined specifically that the site Oyster Point, which is the site Port Hinchinbrook has been developed on. In the report it said it should not be used, due to the high sedimentation and ongoing dredging costs.

Spokesperson Margaret Moorhouse from the Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook said it was clear the site should have never been developed as a port.

Sports Tracker