NOW WHAT?

Kieth Solowski at The Venetian said you have to decide what is important. That is the simplest but purest information I took away from the PR trip to LA and Las Vegas. When a PR person can accurately determine and judge what is most important they can really be successful. Because of all the different facets involved in the PR world such as, planning, promoting, coordinating, and teaching, it is necessary to decide what is most important. It is easy to expect a PR persona to be everywhere with their hand in everything to ensure all goes well. However, as Kieth made it clear, it just isn't possible, and it is not always necessary even though some PR people feel this way.

Wing Lam instructed a room full of students to be good at what you know, if your not, you have no business being in the business. He is an example of good decision making. He told a story of a crisis Wahoo's Fish Tacos experienced and how he handled it. The first thing he said was “don't panic”. Often dealing with a touchy situation is such a nerve wracking time that the first reaction is sheer panic. He stayed calm, and found a resolution and his company is thriving. He is good at what he does.

It is easy to be good at what you do if you work hard for it. Which is the point that Nate Grey stressed to the UVU students on the trip. Work hard and you will reach your goals. Opportunities will arise that you never considered, or even thought of before. Take the time to invest in decisions that will build your knowledge bank, that way you are irresistible to employers looking to hire.

I learned something I won't forget during this experience. That is, your network is your net worth. (courtesy: Damion Dean) By being outgoing, confident, even when it seems hard, you will be more of the person you want to be, and meet people who want you to succeed. Make alliances and friends who want the things you want for yourself, get competitive and collaborate for your future and always be working on the next “thing”.

  

At First

The informnation, the people, and the whole experience were so delightful

 Then I started to have this feeling like....I will never be able to be this awesome. Everyone was so unique, successful and smart. It was daunting because I didn't know how to do any of that. But I was able to cope with it and towards the end finally kind of realize after asking my questions (ALWAYS ASK, even if it seems dumb, it isn't) that a lot of the smart successful prole started out like me. As a student with goals and hopes.

My Aha moment (Oprah anyone?) was when I was able to reflect back to Wing Lam talking about Wahoo Fish Tacos. He presented the first day of the PRSSA conference.

He said be good at what you know.

Seems simple, but it hadn't clicked that what he was saying is when you are good at what you know success finds you. 

It's like people say, "how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time"

"Reality isn't as fun as I remember.."

Being on the trip with my friends and classmates was an amzing learning opportunity, and a networking opportunity as well. Damion Dean told us your "Network is your Net worth" not sure I agree but I do know one thing. After this trip it is obvious if you have some great friends you have everything.

This is us at World of Color in Disney. Heart stoppingly beautiful. Made some of us cry...but it had been a very long day! Disney taught us that responding to your audience is the best way to communicate effectively. Disney has such a loyal following because they have always been able to reach into the hearts of their customers.

The Venetian and Palazzo meeting with Nate and Kieth taught us that Social Media is not effective for every business to reach their audience. But rather pinpoint your goals and prioritize what is most important to reach who you need to.

"Our Standard is Suite"-Venetian and Palazzo Hotel

What should I do with all the experiences I had? I wrote so many thoughts down and I enjoyed so much of what I learned. How do I possibly remember and implement all these ideas?
I will start with something Nate Grey advised us to do, work your butt off.

Next I will do something Matt Prince advised us to do, go for what you really want. People will never agree or understand, but if you feel unfulfilled, search for the answer.

Good Bye Friend- what a great trip!

Today meeting with Nate and Kieth from The Venetian and Palazzo was so great. They put together a whole presentation on what they do, how, and why. They have an amazingly busy schedule! They told us once in a 10 day period they had 23 events... Kieth, the Executive Director of PR, advised us all to focus on what's important and prioritize and stay organized. They said it is easy to feel like everything needs to be monitored but we can't be everywhere as PR people.

Kieth said something so profound:
"When you are focused internally in planning an event, you aren't focused externally on promoting an event".
PR is about promoting your brand and the business. Collaborate and work with the marketing team to get a clear message Out. This will also be the best way to utilize everyone's BEST skills. Their is always going to be someone with a skill set better then yours. Use those when operating an event!

I am so grateful for all the gracious people who have taught me on this trip, the speakers, Professors, my classmates and the people I met. Stephen Whyte made this experience awesome! Matt Prince at Disney, the guys at the Venetian, and taking that tour at Warner Bros. ALL amazing.

Now I need to go home and update my resume, and catch up on my Crisis Comm class.
Check out internships and explore a career!
Note to self: get more involved in PRSSA and stay in the loop.
Note to you: UVU has an awesome PR program, take what they offer.

The bedtime at the Venetian and Palazzo...Beautiful hotel, awesome that Nate was able to help us stay.
Good Night! Xo

VIP at the Venetian

Yesterday was Disney ALL day! Disney Disney Disney... My feet still hurt today. But we just checked in at The Venetian hotel and it is BEAUTIFUL!

We are meeting for lunch with Nate and then group dinner and then La Reve. I feel super spoiled! UVU PRSSA definitely does business and pleasure the right way.

This group of people has taught me a ton. "What is a RT?" Tweeting! Ah the art of twittering... Later I will tell you all about our meeting with The Venetian Execs.


 Wait for it!

The last day of PRSSA conference...

Crisis comm simulation was a good experience. It was fun working with other groups of kids from the other Universities and seeing what they have learned and what they could contribute.

Last night we did Santa Monica pier and went as a group to get dinner at Bubba Gumps.

 I have learned so much from this group of UVU peeps on the trip. Even in our downtime we discuss and collaborate. It is the coolest. We had such an amazing time!

Tomorrow is.... Wait for it..... DISNEYLAND!!! We met with Matt Prince the social media manager at Disney (photo above).

I loved having him talk about monitoring and managing and organizing contests for Disney through social media because I have some experience working in that. The contests seem so awesome, if you tweet or hashtag anything Disney they will most likely be in contact with you. I love that! That is what comm is all about.

That's me @mrshopejackson, and check it out DCA (Disneyland California Adventure) got back to me via twitter, while I was there at Disney... seriously so cool! Probably the best company to study when it comes to PR and HR, marketing, advertising..you name it, they rock it. 

Happiest place on earth

Warner Bros. Studios and a look into movie making

Nothing quite like waking up in sunny beautiful California.
Woke up early this morning to head to Warner Bros. Studios for a VIP tour of the premises. They have a "big city" and a "small town" these are real buildings and the process they have for making Tv is awesome. Fascinating. Unreal.

The real Batman vehicles we saw on the tour. Fun fact: they all drive, but only at 20 MPH.

We met with alum Jo Metcalf who works for Conen and she seems happy and successful, always a good sign. She got her job by following on twitter and seeing that he would be at a meet and greet in LA, she met people and got a job. She makes it sound so easy but you know how it goes, be at the right place at the right time.

Came back to the hotel and fell asleep in a bikini by the pool for a few hours before the mixer tonight at Cal State Fullerton. Some people were dressed up as super heroes others were not. Some didnt look dressed much at all. It is going to be a very interesting few days.

I thought the CSF PR crew did a great job throwing a party. Free bowling, good food, and a DJ as well. We all were able to meet a few people and everyone seemed really excited.

At first it was intimidating to approach people, but once I started it got easier, I realized everyone felt the same.
So. Tomorrow make new friends and remember names.
Be smart and focus, ask questions that matter.
Absorb what you see and hear, you never know what opportunies arise and what may present itself. Just like Jo told us, she got her dream job because she took a chance. Take a chance!

Going going... Back back... You know the rest!

We made Cali in great time today and I pretty much slept the whole way. This group of classmates is legit. So much fun!

We are getting ready for our mixer tomorrow at the PR conference and it will be great to meet some of the people involved.

(photo above bowling at the mixer)

Jo Metcalf from the Conen show will be meeting with us tomorrow to discuss more of what she does for a living. An alumni at UVU, she graduated in PR and now works in entertainment in LA.

- I want to ask her, why she got involved in the entertainment industry.
- how is it working for Conen?
- Was this always something you wanted to do?

We went to Newport beach today and it was beautiful. We then had dinner at Fashion Island and did some shopping.

All the fun stuff starts tomorrow!!

Genelle Belmas-
 one smart lady.

Don't even worry about it, she has her Doctorate in Communication with an emphasis in Media Law (holy sh#..), a BS in Journalism and has written multiple textbooks. Some I don't even understand the title to...
1- When did you decide to write your first text book, and why?
2- What is your favorite topic to teach?
3- Students say  (rate my prof) that you make studying law entertaining, how did you get interested in Media Law?

I can't wait to hear her speak at the conference. Media Law is a pretty intimidating topic to me, probably because it sounds serious. She is obviously passionate about the topic and teaches it at Cal State so I am really grateful for the opportunity to go listen to what she has to say. Her students love her!

She was featured in their student newspaper a while back. About her undergoing weight loss surgery. The student body seemed very supportive of her, she is definitely well liked! Check it out http://www.dailytitan.com/2010/10/belmas-profile/

Damion Dean- Conference Speaker

http://prprosassemble.com/conference-information/programming/


First of all. That website is cool looking.
Damion Dean Executive Director Evolve Minds Media, (what's that like?) They produce short films, music videos and seem to be good at it. He traveled to London for a movie premier recently. He is also Director of Operations at Notice Network, and LA Fashion Corner. What? This guy is awesome. He directs a lot of substantial organizations.

What I am really wondering is what he will lecture on for the PR conference. Will he touch on his experience in PR with his own company and associates, or will he discuss more from a client point of  view? I wonder because I am not sure what he does REALLY, like what does an 'executive director' do?...I have no idea. But I did find pictures!

So, if I were going to ask him 3 questions, I would start with:

1- As Executing at Evolve Minds Media, what do you do on a normal day?
and I would brain storm from there....
Yikes, so excited for this trip!

Disneyland! Where dreams come true

This P.R. trip with UVU is so exciting! I have been looking forward to it since I got that acceptance email for this trip.

I have been to Disney once before and was fascinated by how easily the company was able to uphold it's standards of entertainment EVERYDAY! It really was the happiest (cleanest) place on earth.

I watched opening day on Youtube and was able to see that even then when it first opened Walt Disney had a very specific vision for what he wanted the park to be. With surprise guests straight from the screen (Mickey Mouse) and the ice cream shop catering to audience members out on "Main Street USA" to watch the live marching band parade through the park, there was a very apparent air of entertainment and happiness. That feeling is still there today! I felt it all three days I went to Disney Land for my first time and I have been a believer ever since.

How do they really make everyone happy?

It is fascinating and I can't wait to know the secret(s). As a PR student I can't wait to go back and analyze more of the strategies they implement to run such a successful organization.

It's going to be great!

Conference speaker- Carolyn Kim

Carolyn Kim-
  http://faculty.biola.edu/carolyn-kim/ 
I wonder if conference speaker Carolyn Kim is religious?

She has worked for Chuck Colson a minister and religious author, and a non profit organization, Fellowship for Christian Athletes. To me she seems to be passionate about that line of work. Is it appropriate to ask her about that? I come from a religious background and I wonder how she got into it.

Another question I want to ask is what was the biggest difference for her from working PR in an agency setting as opposed to a non profit. Lastly I would ask her what is one of her recommended digital strategies to reach clients?
 1-digital strategies; what is one good one?
 2-how did you get started working religious PR(?) maybe we will think of a different way to ask that...
 3- non profit vs agency PR, which do you like best?

"Our standard is Suite"-The Venetian Hotel

Today I am interested about The Venetian and how they represent themselves. I didn't realize that the club Tao that Kim K parties at every year for her birthday is the same club at The Venetian. Besides that cool tid bit, they have some pretty sweet pools.  The weather will be warm enough to catch some sunshine and this is definitely the spot to do it. Kim Kardashian definitely revs up their visibility to the public. It has a reputation as being one of the premier hotel/resorts in Vegas. It is beautiful! "Our standard is suite." On the website boasting that they are a five diamond resort. I believe it!
Shows at The Venetian:
- Faith and Tim Mcgraw
- America's Got Talent Live.

They advertise the hotel attractions on their classy looking website. It makes me think luxury! Check out the hotel rooms...

La Reve... The Dream

I Looked into some info on La Reve today. The trip is getting nearer with every passing day and I am excited and nervous. About a year ago me and my husband (my dance partner) auditioned for a spot on the show (La Reve). La Reve means "The Dream" and is all about the dream world we enter into when we close our eyes and aspire to unimaginable things. Summer 2011 talent managers from the show came to Center Stage Dance Studio here in Orem and I auditioned. I was excited to learn, that the dancers choreograph the show. For example, at the audition two current cast members and performers taught the audition choreography, which was an actual piece on the show. It was such fun choreography to dance I wish I would have gotten the job. These same dancers choreographed the routines for the stage in Vegas. Because of this I am excited to see the other pieces because I will know that most of the performers prepared the actual pieces being performed. The show will be spectacular! I am curious to see how the executives monitor their numbers an what is the determining factor in which pieces of choreography get on stage and which ones aren't popular. Essentlially, how do they know what people want to see? I am going to bet most of their audience comes from a word of mouth basis. Which means it is going to be good, since it is still running and pretty popular. Love me some Vegas! I can't wait!

Want More Info?

Love football? If you’re hoping to cheer the Wolverines on the gridiron soon, don’t hold your breath. Athletic Director Mike Jacobsen has a passion to start a varsity football program at UVU but doesn’t see it happening anytime soon.

The poor economy and fewer dollars from corporate sponsors have put the hurt on all varsity athletics, Jacobsen said. He cites money woes combined with waning political support from power-brokers both on and off campus, as the major obstacles delaying a football kick-off.

Football supporters hoped for a perfect storm last year with the combination of achieving university status while awaiting a new school president that many hoped would be pigskin-friendly. President Holland has not yet announced his intentions either for or against a football program, and so the pot sits on the back burner for now.

Not all is at a standstill though. A start-up fund that began three years ago continues to swell towards a calculated $3 million goal – a figure Jacobsen says is enough to launch a football team. The fund, labeled as a “conference affiliation fund”, receives unwitting donations each year from every student enrolled at UVU.

The brainchild of 2006-07 student body president Jared Sumsion, the fund began collecting $5 per school year from every student the year Sumsion was elected. The five-year plan increases the student contributions every school year until spring 2011, when students will be pitching in $13 per year.

Written By: Matt Beaudry

UVU Football, To Be? Or Not To Be?

The current situation on UVU establishing a football program is technically undecided since the decision is left up to President Holland whose main concern right now is establishing credibility for UVU academically instead of athletically. According to an interview with head of UVU athletics department, Mike Jacobsen, there is potential land set aside for the purpose of a football field. If President Holland would give the go ahead for football it would take UVU 3 years to come up with the money that is needed to start up a football program. The obvious question is where to get the money? Jacobsen mentioned that in the beginning a 5 year plan was established for football plans so that money could start accumulating. This was proposed to the student body in 2006. Polls were established and the student body was uanimously on board with the idea. Jared Sumsion, who was the student body president at UVU during this time was interviewed on the matter last Friday. He was asked about the football fund that students, since 06, have been putting money into every semester, what are the fees? And how much money is in the fund now? His response was that there wasn't a football fund, it was the conference affiliation fund which was established to fund athletics so that UVU could get into a legitimate conference. When talking to Mike Jacobsen about the funds though he said it started out as a football fund and was changed to the Conference Affiliation Fund that it is now. So honestly it is really unclear what the purpose is of being "taxed" for football, if there may not be a football program. When comparing the two interviews, Jacobsen and Sumsion, there were a lot of holes in the story. One said money is being set aside, the other said that football would happen only if UVU was able to find a wealthy benefactor for the program. According to SUmsion, bottom line is that UVU must get into a conference before they even think about a football program. Bottom line for Jacobsen is even if Pres. Holland said yes to a team tomorrow it would still take 3 years to raise the money.

A survey of students was taken and there was a wide variety of results and opinions. A poll is in process and so far 80% of the students would not put their money toward a football team if given a choice. However, 60% of the same students would like a football team here at UVU.

Jared Sumsion did a poll when he was student body president and the result was 80% to wanting a football team, but were these students aware of the money they were paying without consent.

We interviewed a number of students about this subject. Most originally had a positive reaction, but when they discovered that their money was already going toward this establishment many ended with the answer no, to having a football team at UVU.

Garret Swenson was one of the students who answered yes. Swenson says that having a football team would help the reputation of the school and also his education.

A few students agreed that since they are graduating soon it is not fair for the school to use their money because when a football team is established it will not be beneficial to them.

“BYU is right there”, said McCall Tycksen.

Students don’t feel it is necessary to have another football team here in Utah Valley.

The poll proves these reactions of interviews. Students see positives in having a football team, but not when their money is involved.

Also, We want to make you aware that $123 of our tuition is going toward the Athletic department each year. We spoke with the University Utah and discovered that they are paying the same amount. Why are we paying the same amount as an extremely established university who has the added expense of a football team? Football is the most expensive sport to have at a university, therefore we should not be paying the same amount as the University of Utah because UVU is not funding a football team.

Jared Sumsion Q&A UVU Football

Jared Sumsion, Executive Director of the Wolverine Club for UVU athletics.

Q: In an earlier interview with Mike Jacobsen, Athletic Director for UVU Athletics, he said UVU
had established a five year plan, which we are now in the third year of, (correct me if I'm wrong).
Was this established when you were president?
Tell me about the five year plan, what was it set up to accomplish?

A:  Yes, I was the Student Body President who established this fund. It actually does not even mention football at all. It is called "The Conference Affiliation Fund" (You can obtain a copy of the document through the student government office)
It was not set up to bring football to UVU at all. The purpose of the fund was to help UVU get into a conference (i.e.) WAC or Big Sky, etc... For example, the Big Sky requires that we have a football team whereas the WAC does not want us with a Football team...
The fund is to help us get into a legitimate NCAA conference...

Q: Mike Jacobsen, UVU Athletic Director, said it was meant for football. Did the purpose of the fund change?

A: It is more important to get into a legit conference than to have a football program. If getting into a good conference means we need a football program than we will try our best to bring one on board.

Q: When talking to other sources involved in football I was told that it is now up to Pres. Holland wether to create a football program or not. So if he decides to not go through with football, where would the accumulated funds go, and where have they been going up to this point?

A: Football is not on the radar right now (unless you know someone who would like to donate lots of money). Getting into an awesome conference is first on everyone's agenda (including the President's).


So what's up with UVU Football? Does anyone know?

Stay tuned for more later on this subject. In the meantime... Please feel free to take the poll on UVU football and let us know what you think.

Football team at UVU?

Hey guys!

On the right hand side of the page I've installed a poll. I'm hoping that you'll be able to do me a favor and give me your opinion on the matter. If you feel like you'd like to comment more, leave me a comment under this post, i'd love to hear about it.

There has been rumor at UVU of a football team for a while now, me and a few close friends are looking into the matter further but as of right now how do you feel about UVU establishing a football team?

And if you'd like a football team at UVU would you be willing to pay for it out of your pocket? Say likle 30 dollars a year give or take a few...?

If you don't like the idea of UVU establishing a football team and you found out you were paying for it, say 30 dollars a year give or take a few, how would you feel about that?

Fill out the poll please!

40 Years Ago Today

A bunch of Native American college students in California moved to Alcatraz for a few months, 19 to be exact, to occupy it in hopes of it being relinquished to the indians for their own purposes such as a tribal center and a place of worship since the previous one in SF had burnt down and the government had made no immediate plans to rebuild.

DUring the stay at Alcatraz they lived in the buildings sometimes without electricity and all the time without any phone service and sometimes without running water. During this time the prison was closed and was considered surplus property to the government.

From the article- Motive for the occupation was the government's general treatment of Indians. The U.S. 16 years earlier had begun a policy of terminating Indian reservations and relocating the inhabitants to urban areas.

"[The Alcatraz occupiers] wanted to focus attention on broken treaties, broken promises and termination of tribal areas," said Professor Troy Johnson, chairman of the American Indian studies program at California State University, Long Beach, and author of several publications on the occupation.

The event gathered a ton of media coverage resulting in change for these people. Check out the article.

Since when does Oprah need publicity?

Our darling Oprah is giving her last show (gasp, can it be true?) kinda...she will be giving her last show in 2 years.

SO why does she decide to tell us now? So that our hearts don't break? Trying to break it to us easy... I think she's decided to be done in time to get ready to run for president. If she didn't like Obama so much already I think she would have ran in the last election...

Without Oprah in our lives what will we do? Will we ever hear from her again? I'm being honest here.... What does she think SHE'S going to do? Sit around in her multiple houses all by herself? I wonder if she will continue on with her magazine. I truly do love that magazine. I never read the articles but the pictures are beautiful and the bolded phrases throughout the articles are very clever.

She always looks great on those covers. I think it's safe to say that Oprah is a beautiful woman. Sometimes are better than others. I like watching Oprah because she's not Tyra Banks... You know what I mean? SHes a news woman, she';s giving you facts. Tyra Banks is always trying to start a fire. "Is you baby daddy, YOUR daddy?"......wtf

Oprah never does that. Oprah is also very helpful. To readers like myself she fights half the battle by telling you straight up that she likes a certain book. I have come to find that you can trust these books. I read a story called 'Krik? Krak!' which was a very short read but really touching and it was on her booklist.

Oprah we will miss you and your wholesome clothes and views and books.

The question remains however, why are you telling us this now? It's like her ratings have gone down so she's like, "....I'm leaving!" (fire fire!) and every woman in America is frantic they'll never hear anymore advice. To be fair, they probably just decided and the press always figures this stuff out. She released the info to be informative...why wouldn't she? She's Americas angel.

I bet her ratings go up immediately. The story I read is right here

Check it out