Archive for the ‘News’ Category

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Notes: Indefinite Hiatus


2010
02.25

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It’s been a really long time since I have updated the website and I would like apologise for that.

The long and short of it is my life has kind of turned upside down. This website was done as part of my Masters project. Something went seriously wrong because now I have to redo the whole project if I want to gain the Masters in journalism.

I found out around 10 days ago or so, and it really had me shellshocked and pretty cut up about it. I really loved this website and I still do, but what this means is I have to go back to the drawing board and start from scratch.

I have to go back to where I am from, Tanzania, for a short break but I hope to restart work on the website in several weeks (hopefully before May 2010).

I would like to sincerely say sorry to my subscribers for this. It’s extremely painful for me, but what I hope to do is reboot the whole site and do the concept again. I just want to pass my Masters but I also want to keep this thing going for as long as possible.

I did not want to reveal what happened but I know that I need to use this setback to come back harder the second time round.

Please hang in there — vox-popPRcareers will be back soon.

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3 Ways the iSlate could help sharpen your PR skills


2010
01.12

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The iSlate (its’ rumoured name) is the upcoming e-reader device from Apple. Rumour whispers that it will come out around March of this year.

Here are a few ideas I have about how it could actually help aspiring PRs in their careers, even though it is mainly a device for the publishing industry. (more…)

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Trend: Why Vodaphone’s new link with iPhone matters for PR careers


2010
01.01

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The Guardian is reporting that Vodaphone has entered the school dance and will be doing all things iPhone.

I think this is definitely a sign that telecommunications/mobile is a growing trend that aspiring PRs could look into for future jobs. If one of the biggest telephone network providers in the world is looking into the iPhone, people who want to work in PR have to do the same and think of how they slot into this technology and communications world.

This could also be a sign of things to come in emerging markets: as the mobile uptake continues to rise, PRs who can effectively promote telecoms as something simple and essential will be in demand.

[Image: Slate]

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News: University of Ulster student reveals research on how women in PR are perceived


2009
12.16

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An Ulster University student, Emma Catterall, did research which used ‘chick lit’ novels as a way of discovering how women in PR are portrayed.

Emma Catterall discovered a type of flighty image was created by authors which included female PRs as only caring about shopping, boys and sex. You can read more about Emma’s research here.

What do you think of this? Are women in PR only interested in the superficial or does Emma’s research highlight a worse problem with how authors portray female PRs? Tell us in the vox-pop forum!

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News: Be independent – another option for the industry


2009
09.25

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Job vacancies are continuing to disappear as figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show. There were a total of over 430,000 job vacancies in all sectors leading up to August 2009. This was down from 174,000 in 2008. The reduction in vacancies could have a domino effect, leading people to look at other ways to work.

Elaine Levy, chair of the Independent Public Relations Consultants (PRI) says: “I would imagine because of the companies suffering the recession, lots of PRs have gone on their own now.”

Levy founded Birkett PR in the 1980s. The independent PR tells vox-pop: “Obviously large agencies are suffering. They may cut back or they may only take on freelancers.” According to the ONS, redundancies have gone up from by over 100,000 since 2008 across all sectors of employment.

In a £6.5 billion industry, being independent could be your alternative to the traditional route of making it in PR.

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News: PRs should look to embrace new formats


2009
09.25

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As the blogger of Private Frazer’s Doomed Magazines commentates on the shrinking print industry in the UK, it is no surprise that PRs have taken notice too.

Emma Russell, 26, is a media relations officer at the Arts Council. Emma tells vox-pop: “A lot of journalists are being laid off. They are getting rid of what they can and buying it in from news agencies.” thelondonpaper printed its’ final edition on the 18 September 2009, with over 60 positions put at risk. What does this mean for PRs?

“They lean on us even more”, Emma explains. Lou Thomas, 29, head of press at Trailer Media says: “A lot of print magazines are folding. You have to think of new ways to position what you are working on.”

Aspiring PRs should look to these avenues when applying for jobs.