Target in Canada? Finally!

So, Canadians are finally welcoming the retail giant Target, as they set out to open 135 locations on Canadian soil beginning in 2013. What sort of tactics is Target going to use to generate buzz and excitement around their first store opening in Canada?

 First they should start by sending news and press releases to all major news outlets, radio stations, television stations, and bloggers. 

Social media should also be part of their tactics. Maybe starting online contest and competitions through social media channels, such as Facebook and twitter. Winners of these contests would receive a V.I.P shopping experience before the grand opening.

Another tactic would be putting up billboards in high traffic area, which display the highly recognizable target logo saying “coming soon”. They should set up events in local malls, engaging customers to take part in activities and contests, and be rewarded with gift certificates and special offers.

There are tons of tactics that Target can use, the possibilities really are endless! I am excited to see how they go about reaching their target audience. For now I will sit back and patiently wait for the doors to open.

Humour in PR, Comment #3

I really enjoyed reading this post. I feel that sharing a good laugh with someone is a great way to bond and get to know someone. Being part of the younger demographic, I personally feel that more companies should use a humorous approach while trying to get the message across. Not only does it make for a good laugh, but I feel it is more intimate than the regular, boring ways of getting a message across. Of course you need to be careful you don’t cross any boundaries, and make sure it is not disrespecting your target audience. The backlash you may face if you`re not careful can be detrimental to your campaign. Everyone remembers a good joke. If you know what you`re doing, and you can use humor in the correct context, then why not!

Not the best idea!

 Photo Credit http://www.dominiquediprima.com/?p=5611

Doing the back work in a PR campaign is absolutely vital in determining the success of your campaign. It is important to have all the information needed and to make sure you are getting the point across to your target audience. Make sure you do your research, and that your research is relevant. There are many failed PR campaigns out there, but one that really sticks to me would have to be the fiasco that is O.J. Simpson’s book (former NFL star, turned accused murderer). Entitled “If I did it” about the hypothetical murder of his ex-wife.  In today’s world of sensationalist news it might be possible (although would require a healthy dose of fantasy) to understand why some marketer out there thought this was a good idea.  It was scheduled to be published and promoted on a TV special by News Corp subsidiaries – but the general uproar over the book and a few affiliates refusing to run the show led to Chairman Rupert Murdoch stepping in and canceling both.  Oh – and the book’s super high profile editor was fired. In my personal opinion, this was a horrible idea. Not only O.J. writing the book, but the fact that people actually backed this insane idea and tried to bring it to market. I’m sure there are people in today’s society who are more than curious about what O.J has to say. Personally I wouldn’t waste my time or money on such a book. Not the greatest idea on both O.J and the publisher’s part.

PR Pro Interview

For my interview assignment, I decided to contact the marketing and communications department of the UofW, hoping someone would be willing to set up an interview and answer a few questions for me. After sending a few messages I eventually came in contact with Diane Poulin, she is the communications officer for the University of Winnipeg, she gained a bachelor of arts in communications studies at Concordia University. She was kind enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to allow me to interview her over the phone, this is how it went.

Me: What is a typical week like for you? (if no week is typical, how was last week?)

Diane:  “Great question, one thing that is exciting about working for the UofW is there is a tremendous amount of variety. We have a small communications staff here at the university, so it gives me the opportunity to dip my fingers into everything. I don’t have a typical work week, but last week consisted of writing a speech for an event the president of the university was attending, and I also wrote some news reports for a national LGBT study conducted at the university, and also a medical isotope study done here at the university. All while taking numerous calls from the media.”

 

Me: Tell me about a project that you worked on that made you especially proud.

Diane: “One thing that I am especially proud of during my position here at the university would be our report to the community, it’s a twelve page report that we disperse to over 180,000 homes in Winnipeg and rural areas. I am proud that I was given the opportunity to conceptualize a report to reach broader communities, and really give them insight on what we are doing here at the UofW.

 

Me:  What do you do to keep current in the PR industry?

Diane: “We are encouraged to attend conferences, and seminars that are close to home and really reflect this industry. I tend to be on the older side of the ledger, the younger person in our office (25 years old) takes on the social media aspect.”

 

Me: What do you wish you would have known before starting your career in PR?

Diane: “It’s pretty much how I envisioned, I started in journalism and quickly realized that you have to be quick on your feet, and need to be flexible, and have flexible skills.”

 

Me: How important is writing in your career?

Diane: “It is extremely important, you need to be fast, accurate, and able to grasp complicated topics, and be able to write it in a simplistic yet engaging way. It is one of the most important skills to have when working in the industry.”

 

Me: If you've ever worked for an agency, how is agency life different from corporate PR life?

Diane: “I have never worked in an agency, I have always worked in the public and non- profit sector.”

 

Me: What three tips would you offer someone just starting out in PR?

Diane: “Be prepared to say yes to anything in the first two years of your career, including a low salary. Get as much experience as you can, and always be nice to people you meet in the industry, it’s a small world and you will eventually overlap with these people again, so it is important not to burn any bridges. It is also important to build a portfolio, especially as a student.”

 

Me: When your company is hiring for an entry-level PR position, what makes a candidate stand out?

Diane: “You need to have a good attitude, and a good portfolio. Be able to demonstrate a variety of experiences, and try to secure good reference letters.”

I think after doing this assignment, I have a broader understating of what some positions may be like in the PR industry. The fact that there is so much variety is very appealing to me. My only concern would be to work on my creative writing skills, I still have trouble writing pieces that are entertaining and that can engage the readers, and really get their attention. I am excited to learn more and really build and perfect these skills.

PR related blog comment

My first blog comment was on this blog

Being a new student studying public relations, I have come to realize and respect the need, and benefits of social media. In my opinion, social media has become a networking mecca. I will admit that I am not entirely sure if public relations is that path I want to go down, but if I choose to do so, social media will of course be a useful and innovative tool to help me stay one step ahead of the pack. The need to network in the field is crucial. With the many faces of public relations, social media has become a very necessary tool; the possibilities are not few and far between. I am looking forward to learning more about the role that social media plays in the public relations field, and the many useful ways to use it. Only time will tell, but I think social media is here to stay, might as well take advantage of it while we can

The Mystery that is PR

To be completely honest, when I first decided to take this class, I had almost absolutely no idea what Public Relations actually was or consisted of. Although I have only been to one class, I feel as if I’ve learned a lot. I never would have thought that there was so much depth to this field.

I am very curious to see what kind of career opportunities Public Relations has to offer. I am also taking a marketing course, and there are many similarities between the two.

I must admit, I always thought public relations, advertising, and marketing, were all pretty much one in the same. I’ve come to realize that, that is not the case at all. Although these three fields intertwine, they have many differences setting them apart from each other. I didn’t think there would be so much writing involved in public relations, and I clearly need to work on my skills as a writer. I also need to work on my networking and communication skills. 

I’m interested to learn, and indulge more into what public relations really is, how it works, and the best ways or scenarios to use it. I have always dreamed of working in the media, or in the music industry. How would I use it in these industries? How is it beneficial? Why would a big shot record company need a public relations professional? I hope this class will help me to better understand the field, and give me the skills, and knowledge needed to pursue a career as a public relations professional, if I choose to go down that road.