tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37401895395499226812024-03-19T05:10:36.045-07:00Echo-Alpha ReferenceThe Eman Agpalza (EA) Reference is how I view the world around me through a PR perspective.Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-37067339375738169022011-04-19T20:19:00.000-07:002011-04-19T20:19:14.586-07:00Corus Entertainment studios - review in photosHere are some photos from our trip to the new Corus Entertainment studios in Winnipeg as part of the Career Trek experience.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunchroom/lounge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJh8WKUwRJdjdJouicZ9WTdL0a6MDFkovhGtDJeMkK94LKgSSeWIqCdgWYTOp8fgsLt9H8o1NrZTbu-5Uv82Jfwb5ol4qthrFyxXFcgp48Ca2zTNHDEhPstL1iKtX3E1PIp0PGj5tmIzC/s1600/0419111907a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJh8WKUwRJdjdJouicZ9WTdL0a6MDFkovhGtDJeMkK94LKgSSeWIqCdgWYTOp8fgsLt9H8o1NrZTbu-5Uv82Jfwb5ol4qthrFyxXFcgp48Ca2zTNHDEhPstL1iKtX3E1PIp0PGj5tmIzC/s320/0419111907a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brand-spankin new equipment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtC7w1Qsx_HnBtgC_hztJOdV13RTxbGyBdte8fvgTlvybjPSehyphenhyphen1vYF7tZO5TjS8pQeA19Jvh4Fd_gaVdSlYUghzt1doOZM6l9fTPrP0eTRSfEXuqEn4EsjyYCy4dvEtsyHOzpQ8YzczW/s1600/0419111909a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtC7w1Qsx_HnBtgC_hztJOdV13RTxbGyBdte8fvgTlvybjPSehyphenhyphen1vYF7tZO5TjS8pQeA19Jvh4Fd_gaVdSlYUghzt1doOZM6l9fTPrP0eTRSfEXuqEn4EsjyYCy4dvEtsyHOzpQ8YzczW/s320/0419111909a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the engineers' office</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the green room where guests wait before an interview</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFMCdh0eV7re4PnwnU8W1UBaCOl53wWGr5SpAztLPisTckUZV-9Iif_iDKQR5AmTxzGUPx_KmYdSH_nzkwGko2JXXUzlgfQ8FgKDCTWmcHipMPGf0b2ktISTYoAUjFjP_f2KwMcVU7-IW/s1600/0419111926a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFMCdh0eV7re4PnwnU8W1UBaCOl53wWGr5SpAztLPisTckUZV-9Iif_iDKQR5AmTxzGUPx_KmYdSH_nzkwGko2JXXUzlgfQ8FgKDCTWmcHipMPGf0b2ktISTYoAUjFjP_f2KwMcVU7-IW/s320/0419111926a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carlo is one of the producer-technicians that is responsible for everything that plays on air</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDIftQvnahFY5MkSnLy09xPEvRVDlKxSF3X3mymtLcohPYxyiBOBJRjWTfUpPsdmCA1GW5FIKK9Y9csecbjgTCxhGGb23VNWMfE4fUMj37-3LYfjG9Zyf6fx2-nUd4D74U56yiVB_6_gr/s1600/0419112021a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDIftQvnahFY5MkSnLy09xPEvRVDlKxSF3X3mymtLcohPYxyiBOBJRjWTfUpPsdmCA1GW5FIKK9Y9csecbjgTCxhGGb23VNWMfE4fUMj37-3LYfjG9Zyf6fx2-nUd4D74U56yiVB_6_gr/s320/0419112021a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOpPkpgB0pZ-JW8fLw27EzHvdeRvIHL-gBnuOQe6tpVgXpgkdT7gt5fVyJ3ZQvSj-r_H5stH2KIWj8oetuuikBr-FVqNvzBN7KiytdTABTRJ8oScxiS9wtBNwyrCGFQUrIuLUKKrcvmN_/s1600/0419112021b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOpPkpgB0pZ-JW8fLw27EzHvdeRvIHL-gBnuOQe6tpVgXpgkdT7gt5fVyJ3ZQvSj-r_H5stH2KIWj8oetuuikBr-FVqNvzBN7KiytdTABTRJ8oScxiS9wtBNwyrCGFQUrIuLUKKrcvmN_/s320/0419112021b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-4136320740278436502011-04-12T22:36:00.000-07:002011-04-12T22:38:39.270-07:00Bubba B the MC - one of the coolest Winnipeggers you'll ever meetOur <a href="http://careertrek.ca/">Career Trek</a> radio production class visited the <a href="http://www.astral.com/en/home">Astral Media</a> studios today in the Craig Wireless building downtown.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaEFF_-ujclCwhTtUJstlS7M0hAPCTOd5QTtxBGg1KdlG_FRp1q5MT3O7gc84foxoicMRM9QkHoEGCGdvHowOKH_4TFv0kIGym-L_MNFHBr8Q7Ahcu3n2VJw9sY-P8_xmy2Az3VBxjAYB/s1600/hot103_12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaEFF_-ujclCwhTtUJstlS7M0hAPCTOd5QTtxBGg1KdlG_FRp1q5MT3O7gc84foxoicMRM9QkHoEGCGdvHowOKH_4TFv0kIGym-L_MNFHBr8Q7Ahcu3n2VJw9sY-P8_xmy2Az3VBxjAYB/s320/hot103_12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Waiting in the lobby the elevator opened and we were welcomed by a man in a track jacket. The first thing I noticed about this guy was his voice. He had a subtle accent about him that suggested he had been to other places other than Winnipeg.<br />
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<a href="http://www.myspace.com/bubbabmc">Bubba B the MC</a> - or <a href="http://www.hot103live.com/Blog/bubbab/home.aspx?BlogID=1001824">Bubba B</a> - invited all eight of us into the old elevator that brought us up to the HOT 103 and QX 104 studios in the old building in Winnipeg's Exchange District.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1hopewinnipeg.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/bubba-for-storie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1hopewinnipeg.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/bubba-for-storie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table> I've heard of Bubba in the past and heard him on HOT 103 on a random drive home from school. I didn't think anything of him then. I thought he sounded like how radio personalities (called on-air talent) should have sounded - friendly, entertaining, and emphasized every syllable he spoke over the radio.<br />
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We brought our four Career Trek participants on a field trip to give them a feel of what it was like to work in a real radio station and in the radio industry. Bubba B was our connection to the real world and I was blown away by the inspiration we got from this dude at the microphone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EKYAJMD2tQOa4ZJzTcaz8s0Sl4o1NSYibBya9eRkA-Vb2xCnQs13mLQgq4LjtEQSpesPWQvOoRJ0meLDfzps25Cr4iq3QEvVvj-EGrN8QlNcE6ym084YOrGZ_40RcMrswrZZunvLySnv/s1600/hot103_07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EKYAJMD2tQOa4ZJzTcaz8s0Sl4o1NSYibBya9eRkA-Vb2xCnQs13mLQgq4LjtEQSpesPWQvOoRJ0meLDfzps25Cr4iq3QEvVvj-EGrN8QlNcE6ym084YOrGZ_40RcMrswrZZunvLySnv/s320/hot103_07.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubba B giving live, up-to-date Winnipeg weather conditions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Bubba B was actually working while we were in the HOT 103 studio to interview him about his job and the radio industry.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBKyh5maj3nARqgzFbETkJ2r-_Jta9PJLEytE7n7WMoqF3CyQ1tjWwJ5uvWnymMmdfg2SL_q-jkhW2RDuRDQuVFklmmyH41-4yj3kwPDzg-_n9HCe6whMlJPb1Lvi1XatW9XCgj5YgKVo/s1600/hot103_13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBKyh5maj3nARqgzFbETkJ2r-_Jta9PJLEytE7n7WMoqF3CyQ1tjWwJ5uvWnymMmdfg2SL_q-jkhW2RDuRDQuVFklmmyH41-4yj3kwPDzg-_n9HCe6whMlJPb1Lvi1XatW9XCgj5YgKVo/s320/hot103_13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This guy was super awesome - he used the analogy of HOT 103 as a spaceship and how <a href="http://www.hot103live.com/Blog/aceburpee/home.aspx?BlogID=1001746">Ace Burpee</a>, <a href="http://www.hot103live.com/Blog/chrissytroy/home.aspx?BlogID=1001775">Chrissy Troy</a>, and <a href="http://www.hot103live.com/Blog/lti/home.aspx?BlogID=1001804">LTI</a> launch the spaceship from the ground and into space to meet the space station floating around in space. In the space station, <a href="http://www.hot103live.com/Blog/chrisfantini/home.aspx?BlogID=1001805">Chris Fantini</a> was like the astronaut-scientist who knew all about space walking and all the crazy stuff he needed to do to keep the audience listening to the show for the rest of the day. Finally, <a href="http://www.hot103live.com/Blog/bubbab/home.aspx?BlogID=1001824">Bubba B</a> brings the spaceship back home to Earth after a long journey through space. His job was to land it safely after all the struggles and triumph it had encountered through the day.<br />
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Bubba B was very inspirational about his own journey through his radio career. He talked about how he got started in Calgary, AB in Canada and thought he was going to get his big break. After waiting for two years thinking he'd finally get his own radio show, he found himself leaving the radio industry altogether. He was an artist himself. He wrote his own songs and recorded them too. After Calgary, he left the radio industry and forgot about his passion in music, not doing anything related to it for six years.<br />
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"Winnipeg saved me," said Bubba sitting in the radio station in front of the three widescreen computer monitors.<br />
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What he said truly inspired me and I was sure it inspired the four fourteen-year-old participants in the room as well.<br />
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He described the path to his career as tough but he kept trying. He described HOT 103 as a defining moment in his life that told him radio was clearly his passion. He remembered hearing one of his favourite songs on the radio and on that particular incident, he knew he was doing was he was supposed to be doing - being an on-air talent for a radio station, engulfed in music and creativity.<br />
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Another memorable thing about Bubba was his use of water as an analogy. He quoted Bruce Lee when he said "be like water" meaning be ready to take different forms in radio. Working in radio meant a person needed to be able to work with anything that was thrown at them. Bubba works at night but if he were to get a phone call in the morning saying he had to fill in for a sick co-worker, he knew he had to be at the studio in the morning on top of what he had to do at night.<br />
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Bubba also explained knowing the different forms water could take was essential when working with other people. Knowing when to be 'liquid' and knowing when to be 'ice' in different situations when dealing with people was important because it allowed you to deal with problems and come up with solutions. Knowing when to be easy on yourself and knowing when to be strict to push yourself to your limits would help you achieve your goals in life.<br />
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I didn't know much about Bubba B before the tour but after listening to him talk that night allowed me to learn more about the radio industry and also about Bubba B himself. Bubba was honest, relatable, and most of all, inspiring. He was definitely one of the coolest Winnipeggers I've met in a while. One thing I could tell you for sure was that Bubba was not bothered by Winnipeg's extreme cold or annoying mosquitoes - a mark of a proud Winnipeg man. Thanks Bubba B!Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-91665172953522565342011-04-07T12:50:00.000-07:002011-04-07T12:50:13.466-07:00Photo essay - the best edit suite on campusI shot pictures of Edit Suite F in the basement of The Roblin Centre in the Exchange District campus as an assignment to tell a story through the use of photography.<br />
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I chose Edit Suite F because of its design and purpose. Compared to other edit suites on campus, Edit Suite F was very roomy and was a very quiet place to work, not a lot of foot traffic in the basement.<br />
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Edit Suite F had both Final Cut Pro and ProTools software, making editing of any media assignment a cinch! You didn't have to run to another edit suite to record your voice over and then run back to edit your video. This was definitely the highlight of this edit suite - and also because we spent half our CreComm lives in edit suites in general. This photo essay was something I could look at to remind me of the good and bad times of editing and the stresses and victories associated with video editing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNKAnDq5b69uHjts_C3zcSp-_OQsg9mZXq4xHOq1I_dHuzhL4L4o4LqWZJLofqtdN0XwT-aJMMWImAHRR44w3O3_hdtB-Qh5-UG3tkkhlAWzjSUe18U7uw0EIvauqSan9ocNYPd89BIv2/s1600/photo_essay_v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNKAnDq5b69uHjts_C3zcSp-_OQsg9mZXq4xHOq1I_dHuzhL4L4o4LqWZJLofqtdN0XwT-aJMMWImAHRR44w3O3_hdtB-Qh5-UG3tkkhlAWzjSUe18U7uw0EIvauqSan9ocNYPd89BIv2/s320/photo_essay_v1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-6654581830139192722011-04-03T22:54:00.000-07:002011-04-03T22:58:00.411-07:00Eman's social media scope - What I know so far<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVa-owfaXlmFk6vEIhf3-4X0qTdsZbZdecPE6bp8H8chkpKUm_RMqC_3WAzyUqDUin7w8pGr98JxlU3tKtS5lE_LuWEXW2nBkQStsJyZSzl4_QGPCp7yKGUqmy9UB2fMpIbqAL8CBt6kV3/s1600/seo_sample.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVa-owfaXlmFk6vEIhf3-4X0qTdsZbZdecPE6bp8H8chkpKUm_RMqC_3WAzyUqDUin7w8pGr98JxlU3tKtS5lE_LuWEXW2nBkQStsJyZSzl4_QGPCp7yKGUqmy9UB2fMpIbqAL8CBt6kV3/s400/seo_sample.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what shows up when I start typing my name - I'm popular, mom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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The two most influential social media motivators I've had the pleasure to meet were 2010 CreComm graduate, Jenette Martens and my sister's boyfriend, Johann Generao.<br />
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Both people have taught me some cool things about social media that I wouldn't have realized on my own (with the little expereince I have):<br />
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What Jenette Martens taught me:<br />
- When using Facebook to engage your audience, make sure your message is not too long as the post would cut off your message if you didn't mind the number characters you were pumping out on the post. She is a Social Media Convener at The Winnipeg Foundation.<br />
- Use a pre-determined profile before engaging in social media. What she meant by this is there is an appropriate time to use the company's voice, a made-up character's voice, and your own personal voice in tweets and blogs. Knowing when to use these different voices is powerful in persuading your target audience.<br />
- Use an integrated iPhone/BlackBerry app that will allow syncing with your desktop posts and mobile posts. An app that keeps track of stats and web hits is also very useful.<br />
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What Johann Generao taught me:<br />
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is very important. He works for an agency that specializes in generating web content for clients in Canada and in the U.S.<br />
- To rank high on the Google search engine, the user (i.e. a person who blogs) must post fresh content regularly and as much as possible link media to existing sites online. This doubles your chances of being searched.<br />
- It's not a bad idea to 'pad' your name by signing up on other social media sites even if you know you won't be using them. These sites rank higher on the results page because of the nature of the site and in turn pushes down any other news about you - Can someone say issues management tool?<br />
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This is my understanding so correct me if I'm wrong and I'll add you to the List of Legendary People Who Have Influenced Eman list.Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-23202843721434523042011-04-02T14:31:00.000-07:002011-04-02T14:31:41.049-07:00My Independent Professional Project: a promotional video for Red River College<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/VkaRqHpOBxc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">March 10, 2011 marked the end of my six month project. The result was the video you just saw.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Working for Red River College's Diversity and Immigrant Student Support Department was an awesome experience with practical key learning I would be able to apply in my professional career as a communicator.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shooting, editing, and producing a video may sound tough, but it could be accomplished with weeks of careful planning and advise from an instructor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What worked well for me was planning weekly meetings with my client. This helped a lot because it required me to report to my client recent progress with the product, the video. I needed to tell the client how the video was coming along and the only way around that was to do the actual work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once you've managed your deadline and target delivery date, you could then work the small details into your project. In a sense, you were working backwards. You worked from the delivery date then managed the time you had to actually produce the video.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the biggest challenges of producing a video was shooting subjects. This by far was the toughest part of my entire subject. I remembered sending at least twenty emails to groups and individuals to come to Princess Street Campus (The Roblin Centre in the Exchange District Campus now) where I had the camera setup on a tripod to film interviews.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all the interviews, filming B-roll was next on the list. This was also tough because it required organizing logistics to shoot outside of the campus. As seen in the video, we shot at The Forks Market and various places in Notre Dame Campus. Having your own vehicle proved to be very useful as there was also a ton of equipment to lug around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The finished product was a video that was useful for the department and something that I was very proud of. The marketing manager at Red River College had approved the video last month and would be uploaded to the official college's video channel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was really pleased and happy to be a part of this project. The people I worked with and the connections I had made through this experience was something I'd always carry with me no matter where I go or work.</div>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-14863729966900920882011-04-02T13:32:00.000-07:002011-04-02T13:41:17.272-07:00Plyometrics: energize without weightsThe great <a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/blogs/babaluk/">Neil Babaluk</a> and I started incorporating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plyometrics">plyometrics</a> in our exercise routine. I was skeptical at first but once we got started, sweat was dripping off my forehead.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9NVz2L4KJYk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
According to a Wikipedia page, plyometrics was a type of exercise designed to produce fast, powerful movements that improves the functions of the nervous system better performance in sports.<br />
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The video shown above alternates from upper body to lower body workouts and focuses on building body strength and agility. Plyometrics was great to incorporate in your workout because it added a different dynamic to your everyday workout. Lots of people do regular cardio and weight training but not a lot do enough of this type of burst exercise.<br />
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There were many simple ways to incorporate plyometrics into a workout routine. I didn't even realize that something as simple as jumping jacks and push ups were plyometrics and could easily be added to anyone's routine.<br />
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I had my doubts when Neil and I started. I didn't think it would be enough of a workout to get anything out of it. Neil was always the measure to see if a routine works. We've been going to the gym for the last month and he was always wanting to try new workouts in the gym. After the plyometrics, my legs were very well exercised and Neil's calves were also worked to its limits.<br />
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Plyometrics was quick, energy-charged, and good way to re-energize a busy day at school. Everyone should give it a go!Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-12976273081932975762011-04-01T17:48:00.000-07:002011-04-01T17:52:41.938-07:00Fear of birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ucp.totfarm.com/pics/pic_137849001183480873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://ucp.totfarm.com/pics/pic_137849001183480873.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've shared this with many people but felt like I just needed to blog about it - to help me get over it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm afraid of birds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first thing people asked was "Really?" Then they would either laugh or let out a chuckle. I'm sure it wasn't because they found it hilarious that I had this weird fear of birds, but because they were fascinated by it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then they would ask me "What kind of birds scare you?" It didn't really matter what size or colour the bird was. The fact that it had feathers kinda weirds me out. I mean I've touched a bird before. I've petted a live rooster before and touched a stuffed crow - the kind you would see in a taxidermy shop. Maybe it was the hard bodies birds had that make them not ideal to cuddle with. Then again, why would anyone want to cuddle with an eagle?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I could list ten more reasons why I didn't like birds but the main point was that I recently went to a psychologist to talk about my self-diagnosed phobia.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took an introduction to psychology class at another college a few years back and learned that I shouldn't self-diagnose myself or anyone for that matter. But I still did - how else would I find out I was terrified of feathered animals?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before I get into why I even considered seeing a psychologist about this issue, let me just explain that my fear of birds was not at all serious in any matter. So before you get any funny ideas of shoving a bird in my locker or bag, know that it won't affect my quality of life. I would still able to function and carry on with my day-to-day activities. A person should be concerned if his or her fear was affecting the way they live and the way they do things. The person must seek professional help once the fear takes control of their life i.e. staying indoors because of their fear, not being able to work because of their fear, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The visit to the psychologist was part of an assignment in sports journalism. But the idea of getting over one's fear fell through because my instructor said the topic was focused more on the mind and not on physical activity. It was too late to cancel my first ever appointment with a psychologist and, to be honest, I wanted to see what a psychologist thought about my feelings towards birds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The psychologist was really great. She explained to me the Pavlovian theory of conditioning where the Russian scientist, Pavlov, wore a read coat every time he fed this dog. The long and short of it was the dog salivated every time he saw the scientist enter the room wearing a red coat. The dog learned to associate feeding time with the colour red to a point where the scientist would enter the room without food and the dog would still salivate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The psychologist said I was doing the same thing to myself. Every time I'd have an encounter with a bird, I'm conditioning myself to be scared and fearful, thinking the bird would attack me. Once I'm out of the situation, I'd tell myself how I just survived yet another close encounter with a bird when in reality, the bird wouldn't have attacked me. But years and years of my own self conditioning has led me to believe birds are dangerous and I should be fearful of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what was her professional advice? She told me that I needed to get bored of my fear. She told me to expose myself more to birds. I would quickly find out that birds are pretty docile and tame for the most part. She also told me it was OK to be a bit afraid of animals I wasn't generally exposed to in an everyday basis - kind of how some people are afraid of lizards, spiders, or bugs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The psychologist actually told me I probably shouldn't have booked the appointment as it probably was a waste of my time since I already knew and realize all the stuff she told me. For me, I just needed to hear it from a professional. The fact that I said I have a fear of birds was probably bad as it was contributing to my fear of the animal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Going forward, I'm going to try to expose myself to more birds. Maybe I'll visit a pet store and ask if they could perch the parrot on my shoulder while I wear an eye patch. I'll also swap my ergonomic pillow with a full down feather pillow. When I eat chicken wings, I'll ask them not to de-feather it - OK maybe not that one. I still love chicken wings. </div>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-76103450103093770322011-04-01T15:39:00.000-07:002011-04-01T17:51:39.070-07:00My first AGM experience: There's nothing general about it!Today marked the first of ? AGMs I'll have in my communications career. I better get used to it!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Contact+Energy+Hold+Annual+General+Meeting+0yxdymrzIcSl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Contact+Energy+Hold+Annual+General+Meeting+0yxdymrzIcSl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always have a microphone available for people who want to be heard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Attending my first Annual General Meeting (AGM) was surprisingly pleasant AND enjoyable. I thought about how my first AGM would unfold over and over again in my head all throughout the day. To be honest, the one question that kept popping up was: "How boring would this thing be?"<br />
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It was more interesting than I thought.<br />
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Just recently, I got a job with a non-profit organization in my hometown, Winnipeg. It was mandatory to attend the AGM and that was why I was at a hotel conference centre in the Polo Park area this afternoon.<br />
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I should also say this was the first time I'd be meeting the staff in the office so my palms were 3.5x sweatier than normal. But my nervousness proved to be short-lived because the people I'd be working with were all friendly. Everyone was easy to talk to which made it very easy for me to feel welcomed.<br />
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We had dinner at the restaurant in the hotel before the AGM started and I thought that was a great way to get to know everyone. It was great interacting with everyone - something I looked for in a work place setting. Needless to say, my spirits were high even before the AGM started.<br />
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At 7:00 p.m., the President facilitated the opening of the meeting and the evening was underway.<br />
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I didn't know what to expect. In my mind, I pictured people sitting on stiff-cushioned banquet hall chairs in front of round tables draped with a coarse, white table cloth. I also expected people to be really serious and the only sound you would hear would the sound of the person's voice at the podium.<br />
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I was pleasantly mistaken.<br />
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The setup was rows of chairs facing one rectangle table in front where the board of directors sat. Located on the right side was the podium and there was another mike setup in the middle of the row so people in the audience could voice their opinions when invited.<br />
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The biggest thing that surprised me was the laughter.<br />
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As the formalities commenced, I found myself lost in the lingo of voting for movements and sanctions and stuff I didn't really understand. (Not sure if that last sentence made sense.)<br />
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I was surprised when the audience laughed about a small kerfuffle by one of the board of directors and staff member. It really changed the tone of the evening for me since thinking AGMs were all serious. It really made sense that the tone of the evening was the way it was. It came down to "knowing your audience" like we learned in public relations class. As a communicator, you needed to know who would be present at the AGM so you could prepare yourself and how you would conduct yourself in the event something goes wrong. You needed to know when to be serious and when to just laugh it off.<br />
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The laughing made the mood welcoming, pleasant, and friendly for those in the audience. I thought the benefit of a lighter tone was more audience participation which was important in AGMs because you would want to hear as many opinions as you could to improve the organization.<br />
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I should really start to consider myself as an adult.<br />
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I've been in school since I was four years old. I've been programmed to think school was for kids and working was for adults. Being 28 years old didn't really help as I'm still in school at the moment.<br />
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As I sat in the AGM, I thought to myself: "Wow, this is real adult stuff. Look at all the people around me... they have beards, fancy suits, and sound like they really, really know what they're talking about."<br />
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I mean I knew they were older than me but I was still enamored by the fact that I was sitting in an AGM for work... that this AGM somehow affected me in a very important level.<br />
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That was when it started to become interesting.<br />
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I had a personal stake in the AGM as marketing coordinator for the organization and was really the biggest reason I paid attention.<br />
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Once I flipped the switch in my mind, all the information I was hearing all of a sudden sounded so cool - like the speaker was directly talking to me. It was like a crash course on the organization I was going to work for in 11 days. I start in my new role on April 11, 2011.<br />
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What was particularly interesting to me was the health the organization was in. It was nice to hear they made more money than the previous year and continued to have positive growth. I was proud to sit in front row as an employee knowing that what I would soon be a contributor to those numbers and to the greater cause of the organization.<br />
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Then my name was called.<br />
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I didn't really anticipate my boss calling my name and making me stand. He got to the part of his report where he talked about his staff contributions and my name was first on the list (Agpalza). He said something like how I haven't even officially started yet but was there to attend the AGM. When he called my name I raised my hand like how I would in public relations class when my instructor, Melanie, would call attendance. Oops. He asked me to stand up so I did, turned around, and waved to the crowd. A bit awkward but I found it funny.<br />
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The AGM was done in about an hour and a half. I stood outside with my co-workers and they told me it was a quick meeting this year. In past AGMs, they stayed until 10:00 p.m., and one time, until midnight! I really thought it took long but hearing about the past AGMs made me glad it wasn't one of those times we had to stay longer.<br />
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The AGM was neat. I got to learn about the organization in less than two hours and got valuable insight where the company was headed. There were lots of information thrown around and given out and it made me think what the director of marketing and communications had to do to make the event possible. But I knew the answer: lots!! Lots of preparation went into the AGM like how we learned in public relations class. Next year, I'm going to be a part of the preparation and it would be very interesting to see what all went into the process of preparing. Just another thing I'll have to learn as a communicator!Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-73864742324939259932011-03-26T15:07:00.000-07:002011-04-01T17:51:19.891-07:00Leaving CreComm: what I'll miss the most.<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Home stretch. Here we go!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My two-year journey is almost coming to an end. With two weeks left, I’m feeling excited to finish, pumped for the summer, and scared to start working for the rest of my life.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But what is it about Red River College’s Creative Communications program that makes every person who completes it feeling so inspired and so motivated to do something [amazing] with their lives after CreComm? I don’t like getting cheesy, but in a sense, it makes everyone feel so alive. I don’t know… maybe because so many of us have come from different backgrounds and different experiences that when we all get together under one CreComm roof, we learn that there are others like us.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white;">The CreComm community is what I’m going to miss the most.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">How many of my fellow students mentioned the words “CreComm” and “family” together in the same sentence? Lots. I was one of them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the reasons I got good grades in high school was because I was able to interact with my classmates in school and because my teachers were very supportive of me. I felt confident in myself and quickly found out what my strengths and weaknesses were because I had friends all around me to guide me and support me along the process.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The opposite could be said of my university experience.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I knew about five people through my entire one and a half years in university. How could this be considering there were more than 20,000 students that go to U of M? Maybe it was just me. Maybe it was because of the big class size or the huge campus. In the end, I wasn’t able to connect with people in my university experience and I’m attributing the fact I didn’t do so well in university to that.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuWZCDXkwYmW_-t_EOqbiSjnUpxsJYPyFWyFIiaS28Kp_N3EgnaEZ1cXHU06TUpnt2u02fDO8jw2JspiG6p_AjOPVvj8TZ2aQ0AIDriNVG_qI8OiPc2VkrGzkEZegFvR0lVH_C3vYVzU0/s1600/CreComm_PR_Majors_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuWZCDXkwYmW_-t_EOqbiSjnUpxsJYPyFWyFIiaS28Kp_N3EgnaEZ1cXHU06TUpnt2u02fDO8jw2JspiG6p_AjOPVvj8TZ2aQ0AIDriNVG_qI8OiPc2VkrGzkEZegFvR0lVH_C3vYVzU0/s400/CreComm_PR_Majors_2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white;"> What’s so different with CreComm?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I noticed in the first week of CreComm classes in 2009 that this was the place I was meant to learn. It was very obvious that the admin department in Creative Arts had carefully thought of this program, its instructors, its students, and its curriculum. Did you know that for every one CreComm accepted in the program, three people were denied entry? That stat always floored me. What was it that they screened for? Was there an x-gene that CreCommers had that other people didn’t? Up until now, I still wonder. If selection were up to me, everyone who applied would certainly be accepted in. I just wouldn’t know what to look for.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now that CreComm is ending, my friends are what I would miss the most.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There were still a few CreComms I really didn’t get to know and I would take the program all over again just to be able to make a connection with them. CreComm was that awesome and I’m thankful to be among other talented individuals to finish the program in 2011.</div>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-81649514541524863562011-02-25T22:55:00.000-08:002011-04-01T17:53:39.283-07:00IPP: A culmination of skills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPaY-16V_6MqFgSsvwb_tJGk_QbKFb9eX0aAGrF3LUcO_Ri3E4JM29F8Ejvdws7kPlf0JnkEBmIOZsexXnj-v4xOzsi6ylaQSjhmjL-QxphVeBQAg6JaS5xXvHhCN24VcQVGOEl3B6S0p/s1600/stickers_v5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPaY-16V_6MqFgSsvwb_tJGk_QbKFb9eX0aAGrF3LUcO_Ri3E4JM29F8Ejvdws7kPlf0JnkEBmIOZsexXnj-v4xOzsi6ylaQSjhmjL-QxphVeBQAg6JaS5xXvHhCN24VcQVGOEl3B6S0p/s320/stickers_v5.png" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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As my Independent Professional Project (IPP) comes to a conclusion, I can't help but look back to the first day of IPP pitches when my first pitch of going to Haiti fell through because of health concerns.<br />
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When my second pitch of developing a promotional campaign for the Diversity and Immigrant Student Support Department's Cultural and Language Mentor Program got approved, I knew there was work to be done. Six months later, I can actually say <i>"Hey, that wasn't so bad! I actually learned something."</i><br />
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Since I like outlining my key learning points, here are the ones that stuck out the most:<br />
<ul><li><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I can work with a client</span> - choosing RRC as my client was a good fit because I know who the client is and believe in what the department stands for - in this case, culture and diversity. I realize that my values need to fit with the company's objectives in order for me to be motivated. This isn't the case sometimes and I might be hired by a company that might not be in line with my own moral values. In addition, I can also work with a client who has specific needs for his/her audience. I have experienced a situation where my client didn't necessarily like my creative ideas and it was nice to be told that the idea wouldn't work. I learned that just because I was in CreComm my ideas were great and one of a kind. Ideas needed to be tailored and well-thought of.<br />
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<li><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I can stay on task</span> - following deadlines and a critical path is important in project management. One person explained to me before the importance of a critical path: If you were hit by a bus on the way to work, will someone be able to pick up and know exactly where and what is happening on the project? Organization is key and what I learned is that my client and I went over the same topics in our meetings at times because either we didn't write down what we decided on or neither of us brought our notes from the previous meeting. Organization is key.<br />
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<li><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I can stay on budget</span> - throwing an event on $1,000 may sound like a lot of money for a free hotdog lunch but a lot of things need to be considered and included into the budget. I didn't think I'd have to include the price of plastic squeeze bottles into my budget but I did. I learned that food and entertainment go hand in hand and would turn any free food event from a grab and go to a sit and stay event. Having entertainment helps!<br />
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<li><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I can deliver a promise</span> - I promised my client a promotional video and an awareness event and that's exactly what they were going to get. That made me feel good that I was able to provide what I put on the "contract". Even though there was some minor changes, the client still got bigger things what they bargained for in the end. P.S. I'm not getting anything for this :) purely experience for me and the pleasure of helping in a cause that I believe in.</li>
</ul>I present my IPP on Thursday, March 10 and until then I cannot rest. I know until that day is over, my soul will be in unrest. School will be downhill from there and uphill for my career in public relations :)Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-81879348649650346292011-02-23T17:51:00.000-08:002011-02-23T17:51:55.808-08:00Life After PR: How Might People Disappear and The Future of PRFor those wondering how human life will end, here's your video no. 3<br />
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Personally, I'm not sure how I feel about that theory... but I know degeneration is never a good thing. I guess everyone hopes they're no longer around to witness how humans would go extinct.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">Life After PR Topic #3 - The Future of PR</span></span><br />
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On the other hand, PR as we know it is just about to evolve. I've looked up "<i>future of pr</i>" and an <a href="http://mashable.com/2010/08/16/pr-social-media-future/">article</a> from the trusty and always handy site <a href="http://www.mashable.com/">Mashable.com</a> popped up.<br />
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Author <a href="http://mashable.com/author/erica-swallow/">Erica Swallow</a> interviewed 14 PR pros about the future of PR and collected their answers, theories, and ideas.<br />
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I found the one about press (news) releases interesting, how <a href="http://www.vistaprint.ca/vp/ns/default.aspx?langid=6&xnav=ipaddr&rd=2&GP=2%2f23%2f2011+8%3a26%3a17+PM&GPS=1477527976&GNF=0">Vistaprint</a> Public Relations Manager, <a href="http://twitter.com/Jeffespo">Jeff Esposito</a> says there will be three different types of press releases aimed to assist different audiences.<br />
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<a href="http://www.cisco.com/">Cisco Systems</a> director of public relations <a href="http://twitter.com/davidmcculloch">David McCulloch</a> predicts press releases will be more personal to the audience by allowing the gatekeepers a.k.a. journalists to fully understand what companies are all about rather than telling them what to write.<br />
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To add to these predictions and theories, I'd like to say that PR, in the future, will be more friendly to its audiences allowing easy two-way communication and instant message delivery. PR will be more personal and will be tailored to the specific needs of the consumer and the way that consumer wants to interact with companies of his/her choice. The role of companies will be transparent communication with its consumers but for this to happen, companies would have to immensely expand its consumer database to accommodate individual needs.<br />
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Remember the scene when <a href="http://www.tomcruise.com/">Tom Cruise</a> entered the <a href="http://www.gap.com/">Gap</a> in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181689/">Minority Report</a>?<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="340" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ITjsb22-EwQ" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
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PR in the future would be something like that, but less obvious of course. Looks like someone at Gap Inc. has a future plan for marketing.Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-83918331752700552462011-02-11T18:00:00.000-08:002011-02-11T18:01:41.064-08:00Life After PR: Capitol Records and Two-Way CommunicationAs I continue this series, I get more interested in thinking about the changes in PR since it started. I guess if one were to put a date on when PR started, it would have to have been 1914 when the Father of PR, Ivy Lee, was retained by John D. Rockefeller Jr. to represent his family and Standard Oil after the coal mining rebellion in Colorado known as the "Ludlow Massacre". But that's besides the point. The point is looking back at the progression of PR over the last 97 years would be pretty interesting.<br />
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Here is your <a href="http://www.history.com/shows/life-after-people">Life After People</a> video:<br />
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<a href="http://www.rrc.mb.ca/index.php?pid=2804">Red River College Roblin Centre in The Exchange District Campus</a> has multiple Edit Suites located in the basement of the William building. Do you think it would survive a <i>Life After People</i> scenario? I'm not betting on it.<br />
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<div style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Life After PR Topic #2 - Two-Way Communication</span></div><div style="color: white;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remember that Grunig guy's <a href="http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall99/Westbrook/models.htm">four models of Public Relations</a>? That was learned in first year PR and yet still fresh in my mind...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It says that the two-way symmetrical model </span></span>"uses communication to negotiate with publics, resolve conflict, and promote mutual understanding and respect between the organization and its public(s).<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So a good example of this? Do you remember when suggestion boxes first showed up? How about when the word "survey" was first used?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">These are some of the ways that organizations get feedback from their audience to improve the way they operate their business and/or manage their employees. Suggestion boxes offer anonymity to those who offer them while surveys allow for a more complex data research. Both are very useful tools for a PR professional and should be used in a communication strategy when appropriate. </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-42265036407439074722011-02-04T11:17:00.000-08:002011-02-04T11:17:27.524-08:00Life After PR: A three-part series (or longer)Last night, I was sitting in front of the TV flipping channels on the clicker when I ran into a show called "<a href="http://www.history.com/shows/life-after-people">Life After People</a>" on the History channel. The commentary's voice drew me to stop flipping channels as he sounded so concerned as he described what would happen if the human race suddenly disappeared off the face of the planet. Interesting. <br />
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But life after people? To me the answer was easy: there won't be life! All things will cease to exist. As you watch more episodes, you'll realize that even if you survive the <a href="http://scienceray.com/physics/10-ways-the-human-race-could-become-extinct/">mysterious apocalypse</a> the world wouldn't be a nice place to live in. It was not like how Will Smith lived in the movie <i>I Am Legend</i>. <br />
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The premise of the show was predicting what would happen to our surroundings and the structures that humans have so carefully built. The animation they have created to illustrate this phenomenon was really well done.<br />
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Here was one example: Leonardo DaVinci's <i>The Last Supper</i>. What would happen to the fresco if there were no people to maintain it?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="340" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.history.com/flash/VideoPlayer.swf?vid=41470536701"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.history.com/flash/VideoPlayer.swf?vid=41470536701" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="480" height="340"></embed></object></div><br />
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OK, so for something less bleak, I've adapted the same concept and applied it to PR to answer the question: How has life changed after PR? I know there are some things in PR that can't be measured but for my own entertainment and pleasure, I've thought of some things that I think have changed since the idea of public relations started.<br />
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<div style="color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Life After PR Topic #1 - Customer Service</span></div><br />
Do you remember shopping at a store and didn't particularly liked the way they conducted your business? Maybe because of a bad return or exchange policy? Maybe because no one greeted you at the door or offered to assist you?<br />
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Have you noticed the company's policy change over the last couple of years? I remembered when return policies weren't as lengthy as 30 days. Some still have 14 days or less for exchanges and no refunds!<br />
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Exercising PR, companies were finding more ways to appeal to consumers by offering them a choice to keep or return their purchase - something that didn't exist many years ago.Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-5708336765832335562011-01-31T19:57:00.000-08:002011-01-31T19:57:09.443-08:00Key learnings from my work placement experience<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">One week back and I can’t be happier!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We’ve been away from school for more than a month (Dec. 13 to Jan. 24) and I realized how much I missed school after being in a work environment for three weeks.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got back from our work placements with so many stories, both good and not so good, but that didn’t stop us from learning everything we could from the organizations we were placed in. We were, after all, PR majors.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you were wondering where I was placed, I chose to be placed at Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA). I went in not knowing anything about this organization and came out with an appreciation for about 120 or so people who were dedicated to making sure our airport was safe, functional, and friendly to all who use it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">While at WAA, I was able to exercise the PR knowledge we learned in class like writing fact sheets, backgrounders, event planning, and making media lists. I spent 14 work days at WAA and I must say that was too short of a stay to be able to really get a feel of what it was like to work in a corporate communications environment.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The biggest thing I learned at WAA was using tours as a function of PR. We learned in first year PR some of the tools to get the public involved and touring was definitely one of them. But I haven’t seen how it affected people until I got to experience it first hand. On my second day, I was invited to tour the new air terminal under construction. In an instant, I was able to understand what the new air terminal was all about – about transparency and community – because I was right there. I was able to see everything with my own two eyes. The information didn’t have to come from someone else; it was unfiltered. Like in communication, I think PR professionals should strive to pass information to their target audience as direct as possible, without any type of lens and as clear as possible. I think this would make their audience feel more involved because the communication was more personal.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I remembered when our class with Kenton Larsen came up with a class motto for PR.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“To propagate, not contaminate”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I said ‘propagate’, I didn’t mean to increase by sexual or asexual reproduction. Rather, to cause to spread out and affect a great number or to foster growing knowledge of…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Being in PR, it was very easy to contaminate a message or put a spin on it. As professionals, key messages should be kept as unbiased, clear, and concise as possible. After all, it wouldn’t be called ‘key’ message if it weren’t so important.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now that we’re back, I can’t wait to learn more about PR especially in our brand new course called Communications for Non-Profits where we learn about non-profit organizations, what their function is, how they work, and what we can do as a PR professionals to bring true value to a non-profit organization.</div>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-26816962491234374162010-12-10T10:16:00.000-08:002010-12-10T10:16:23.553-08:00Challenge yourself during the winter breakI've read a couple of articles and blogs online about preparing for Christmas and it inspired me to give some of my own advice before parting ways for the winter break.<br />
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CreCommland is a very busy place where students spit out tons of work every week. I'm sure the amount of brain energy one CreCommer uses in a week can be measured in thousands of kilojoules of energy (where 1 kJ = 1000 joules).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZONpf-HHPq22dZpaKnzjI6g7oCO84dEZIbprcXlUeOBVuUVdqYWJrwtQAD2XMaZg0JK9VA2XzGlN4t0evekShrrl7vLXT6HFzzXWSTAAm4Ua1EAMozkiXuo3jB6SexBw1DdMEdVvIWmng/s1600/kilojoule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZONpf-HHPq22dZpaKnzjI6g7oCO84dEZIbprcXlUeOBVuUVdqYWJrwtQAD2XMaZg0JK9VA2XzGlN4t0evekShrrl7vLXT6HFzzXWSTAAm4Ua1EAMozkiXuo3jB6SexBw1DdMEdVvIWmng/s320/kilojoule.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Before I get lost in the chemistry of this blog post, I'd like to make the point that CreComms shouldn't just sit on their talented butts the entire winter break. There are a variety of things a CreComm can do to stay on top of their CreComm game, keeping them fresh and ready to go for the semester to come. After all, this is summer break so don't completely shut off your brain!<br />
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Here are some tips you can do to be on your CreComm game:<br />
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1) Use the break to catch up on exercise. I'm a firm believer of keeping a healthy body would keep your mind (and soul) healthy in the long run. But it all starts with making the right decisions this holiday season. I'm not going to tell you to skip the gravy boat at your Christmas dinner but try not to eat excessively. Start the year right and maybe jump start your New Year's resolution of eating healthy. I know this is easier said than done but actively thinking about it is definitely a positive step towards reaching your goal.<br />
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2) Relax and do what makes you happy. As part of cooling down the machine (your brain) that powered you through the first semester of this school year, remember to spend some time doing the things that you've always wanted to do during the semester but didn't have to time to. Read a book, watch a movie, play video games, knit a sweater - whatever floats your boat. Use the time to recollect on the busy semester and think about how you conducted yourself through the hard times. What worked? What didn't work? What are some of the key learning points you took away from the semester? How can you improve yourself for the next semester? Do all this as you find your "inner zen" as some people might call it. This is the part where you get to do whatever you want but remember not to over indulge.<br />
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3) CreComm revisited. There's no better time to reorganize your notes and update your resume and portfolio than the time given to us during the winter break. I realize there are a lot of commitments during the holiday season but finding the time to do all this is the challenge I'm talking about. Remember, you used to be able to write a proposal, make a presentation, write an article, and blog all in the same week. I'm sure finding the time to leisurely work on your resume or portfolio wouldn't be as difficult. Hint: it requires less thinking!<br />
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It would also be wise to use the time during the winter break to update assignments and see where the work could be improved to make it a portfolio piece. For some people, this time period will be used up to work on their IPPs. Some people might finally have the opportunity to look for a part time or seasonal job to earn extra cash to help pay for tuition, supplies, etc. Some people are legitimately doing work here at the college even before students come back for second semester (the Projector editors). Dianne Livingston suggested to students taking her web design course next semester to practice on Dreamweaver so the skills we learned are kept fresh.<br />
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Whatever you decide to do, make sure that what you're doing has purpose. No sense doing it if your heart is not into it.<br />
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Of course, these are just suggestions on what to do over the winter break. I'm not not, by any means, telling students this is what they should do or worry about being on top of the CreComm program. I already know some people that wouldn't do anything at all during the winter break and I know when they come back they would be feeling refreshed and ready for another hard semester. All I ask is for you to have a plan and don't just waste the three weeks of break we have. It will fly by faster than you think!Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-72626325807800552912010-12-07T10:26:00.000-08:002010-12-07T10:26:14.389-08:00Your telephone number should be BlackBerry friendlyI'm sure I'm not the first person that this has happened to.<br />
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Try calling 1-888-AIR-MILES from your smartphone. If they call them smartphones, why can't a BlackBerry dial the customer service number for Air Miles? Or did Air Miles not anticipate this would be a problem with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QWERTY">QWERTY</a> keyboards?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWxYe0KOnICinhO1ZM3kbAvRaXKl4vK4CQOTzYwMKE2-AsduDAhFeXKpPQCpeHFQlm3idp4wZzaN3CjxCcCMsiUpvW7uZnWMtX0NnIVQpIxAF29LKjUlbVcN2W1T6BdSeUXcUBOE0Yz5M/s1600/blackberry-bold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWxYe0KOnICinhO1ZM3kbAvRaXKl4vK4CQOTzYwMKE2-AsduDAhFeXKpPQCpeHFQlm3idp4wZzaN3CjxCcCMsiUpvW7uZnWMtX0NnIVQpIxAF29LKjUlbVcN2W1T6BdSeUXcUBOE0Yz5M/s320/blackberry-bold.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The reason I was trying to contact Air Miles was to redeem some points towards a cordless phone set as a present for Christmas (yeah I know, I'm cheap but I'm also a student!). The customer experience I had was less than satisfactory because the mailer I got only had the number above to contact Air Miles. At least if you're going to use the spelling of the company in your telephone number then provide an alternate numerical equivalent of the contact number on the mailer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">iPhones didn't have this problem because its keypad still displayed the letters that corresponded to each number = 2 is to ABC, 2 is to DEF, 3 is GHI, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wmtQI5xYlwBoZZ9A0LRD_R3xqaN0iW-68BqwEmam91V1INYOW0_VMonEjCs0YVIHWrXeXBneSYFWOQMp-Om4IPn2n5DcVYfcle88pnx4FOrqgXg2V4kNjaD9QmN4N2PDr-MW-gDWJE3L/s1600/iphone-keys.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wmtQI5xYlwBoZZ9A0LRD_R3xqaN0iW-68BqwEmam91V1INYOW0_VMonEjCs0YVIHWrXeXBneSYFWOQMp-Om4IPn2n5DcVYfcle88pnx4FOrqgXg2V4kNjaD9QmN4N2PDr-MW-gDWJE3L/s320/iphone-keys.png" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 point iPhone, 0 BlackBerry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So going back to accessibility options for customers, it looked like the best option for Air Miles at this point was to also include the numeric equivalent of the word A-I-R-M-I-L-E-S in their contact info - especially for material where customers would be more likely to call in for redeeming their Air Miles points. </div>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-4119044032680943262010-11-27T18:48:00.000-08:002010-11-27T18:48:34.991-08:00Come fly with meSemester 4 of my Creative Communications journey will be kick start with a work placement at Winnipeg Airports Authority.<br />
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As I recollect the events in the fall of 2005 until winter of 2006, I couldn't help but wonder where I would have ended had I pursued a career in aviation. When I left Providence College, I vowed I would return to the aviation field once more. This work placement is key to achieving that dream.<br />
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The first round of work placements for second year CreComms start on January 3 to January 21 with the second round happening in April 11 to 29 with the hopes of landing a job after the three week placement.<br />
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Getting placed in WAA was exactly where I wanted to be. Students were able to choose from different types of organizations varying from corporate, not-for-profit, government, to name a few. They were asked to number their preference and a work placement advisor was assigned to each CreComm student.<br />
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Melanie Lee Lockhart is my work placement advisor and was able to get me a spot in WAA. I will be reporting to Melanie and keeping her updated with my learning progress at WAA. Christine Alongi, Director, Communications & Public Affairs, will be my contact and supervisor during my work placement in January.<br />
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Looking at WAA's web site, I am amazed by the number of social media outlets WAA has. WAA has a <a href="http://www.waa.ca/blog">blog</a>, a <a href="http://twitter.com/YWGairport">Twitter</a> account, a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winnipeg-Airport-Authority/105463516157508">Facebook</a> page, and a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ywg2010#p/a">YouTube</a> channel. How cool WAA!<br />
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I don't have expectations of what I'm going to be doing at WAA but I'm hoping I get to do some social media and communicate the idea that travel by air is safe and passengers can actually have a pleasant experience at the airport if they are better prepared.<br />
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Having previous experience flying in planes allow me to be the passenger, the pilot, and the flight attendant. OK, maybe not a flight attendant. True story: I applied to become an air traffic controller in 2008. Working at WAA will be very interesting and engaging for me because of all these previous experience in the aviation industry. This time around, I can't wait to be learning from and working at the organization that controls how airports in Winnipeg are operated.<br />
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To get my head in the clouds, I'm posting some pics from my flight training experience at Harv's Air in Steinbach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj79eUcvlOiEXmnjaWgUMtt1Bhw1ljWB8CARHS88mZQS_Lulp0rNYnipPNiopmLD2MJVk-Zrs4nHhQ1lN75chh9Qt6-0KJVHGcXeQ7advdWdE3bqmkNarHkWLIGQaBAk3j9XHUtFaYq3ls/s1600/Aviation+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj79eUcvlOiEXmnjaWgUMtt1Bhw1ljWB8CARHS88mZQS_Lulp0rNYnipPNiopmLD2MJVk-Zrs4nHhQ1lN75chh9Qt6-0KJVHGcXeQ7advdWdE3bqmkNarHkWLIGQaBAk3j9XHUtFaYq3ls/s320/Aviation+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fraction of Harv's fleet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPpLxuZRhkPlQoR1dnGPg7MOfdPqSY6F43S6gM1QThK9lrm0WcEne81Kom-QijHyiTRib0NzhCKULEc5_erP_1UXVpwH9YGi967ghzGo0pzwSRXbATyIGRqpEvZyqRxepJGLmbTA-ZxAt/s1600/Aviation+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPpLxuZRhkPlQoR1dnGPg7MOfdPqSY6F43S6gM1QThK9lrm0WcEne81Kom-QijHyiTRib0NzhCKULEc5_erP_1UXVpwH9YGi967ghzGo0pzwSRXbATyIGRqpEvZyqRxepJGLmbTA-ZxAt/s320/Aviation+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airplanes have names called identifiers. This airplane is called Delta Tango Alpha (DTA)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC9qmcWW6pls8qLJMQg1ioB_QmCihuXcCbJw3Le_V3Ajc7XWO9evKMs6xD6gj9RjBCBL5z1SabMjemnG-S0kV5CnvWzZ6_cWgj57St6VORY7CpxPPFdn2HVUbeIlzi2BCoO3h7bIOq34X/s1600/Aviation+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC9qmcWW6pls8qLJMQg1ioB_QmCihuXcCbJw3Le_V3Ajc7XWO9evKMs6xD6gj9RjBCBL5z1SabMjemnG-S0kV5CnvWzZ6_cWgj57St6VORY7CpxPPFdn2HVUbeIlzi2BCoO3h7bIOq34X/s320/Aviation+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cessna 152s only have room for two people</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WBSjsO7MUT-wlJW9KArZciDdAyvp2dPTV7ssGahEN5ynUSYiOxKvjadxkKrp6wKnvQLLtmc01uVJnX-BSfu5VH22Id01cpc0AZuADERFk6WNxhaz1HXoWKsEiP48InR2B00GrrSmK_zn/s1600/P9270043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WBSjsO7MUT-wlJW9KArZciDdAyvp2dPTV7ssGahEN5ynUSYiOxKvjadxkKrp6wKnvQLLtmc01uVJnX-BSfu5VH22Id01cpc0AZuADERFk6WNxhaz1HXoWKsEiP48InR2B00GrrSmK_zn/s320/P9270043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the airplane climbs from the end of the runway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47cinuDzMM7pYZbCaiEbAg4KJhMdxQKkUFl-M1cUfsxc1C1zHdHcXsJP5NTBn-btEuUqkSaqyGQMoRgLnlC-RmMPvPY-2DkNJjqvQAKKchF-hXHgdbuU4mVriUTyJUvrAqM9-s2_lzfAd/s1600/P9270046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47cinuDzMM7pYZbCaiEbAg4KJhMdxQKkUFl-M1cUfsxc1C1zHdHcXsJP5NTBn-btEuUqkSaqyGQMoRgLnlC-RmMPvPY-2DkNJjqvQAKKchF-hXHgdbuU4mVriUTyJUvrAqM9-s2_lzfAd/s320/P9270046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a lot to see out in Steinbach, Manitoba</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUG64A4h_FqEwBLm2_5npx3k6G09HeiRoAFFBBCX4jAuwlhFFSlJQ7MvplGNh-hvhj6zdo6HjBVwJ1OCZyoRQy_XhnB6U42cenR2pKr8SNvyuCpE8YiAeCfdEVgIbvbYEsqeaWLPWE2M2D/s1600/P9270044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUG64A4h_FqEwBLm2_5npx3k6G09HeiRoAFFBBCX4jAuwlhFFSlJQ7MvplGNh-hvhj6zdo6HjBVwJ1OCZyoRQy_XhnB6U42cenR2pKr8SNvyuCpE8YiAeCfdEVgIbvbYEsqeaWLPWE2M2D/s320/P9270044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View as the airplane leaves the runway behind</td></tr>
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</div><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WWE5v4bXMHs?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WWE5v4bXMHs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-67107289334127421692010-11-23T21:12:00.000-08:002010-11-24T09:48:05.893-08:00Are puzzles editing too?Yes they are.<br />
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We went through three different types of vacuums in the last seven days, trying to find the one that sucks the most - haha.<br />
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In an effort to return the products in its original packaging, I had to carefully remember how the vacuum was positioned and packaged in the box.<br />
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The first one was a Hoover and it was easy. The box was nice and big and the vacuum itself was sandwiched between two Styrofoam wedges with all the attachments and instruction manual thrown on top. We had to return it because it kept shutting off on me after just five minutes of use.<br />
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The second vacuum felt just right - it had a good price and it was feather-light. The only problem was it sounded like a lawn mower. My neighbour four houses down would know when vacuum day was; it was so loud. So back to Canadian Tire it went. This was were I struggled.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3V4SgOkK3UNTYMQMRCdUgBlcChqI9PZaI2EcqliqWXPRKnNxHKAde1vD0sMMZ9nke8FIr3cbpQ_K4n8NeFqWA3GhA7QdOrQkaneAwdtQGr84nLnoZ2Ri7dIexThOJcZ6Yvw1KmGZXUko/s1600/vacuum+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3V4SgOkK3UNTYMQMRCdUgBlcChqI9PZaI2EcqliqWXPRKnNxHKAde1vD0sMMZ9nke8FIr3cbpQ_K4n8NeFqWA3GhA7QdOrQkaneAwdtQGr84nLnoZ2Ri7dIexThOJcZ6Yvw1KmGZXUko/s320/vacuum+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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As you can see, the people at Dirt Devil invested more time on designing the packaging than making sure the vacuum operated on a satisfactory noise level. It was such a pain to figure out how to put this demon back into its original packaging. It felt like I had to cram 100 pieces in a square the size of a shoebox. It was very annoying to say the least. I wondered if this was part of Dirt Devil's effort to dissuade consumers from returning their product for a refund.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEFrJ9jfb7o9CeUqD9W6Noz1pTBUelL4zosYSQ5BGCokFAW_FWup3xtmkVmap1wXjydjOBs9dN-GxDawpkP09A3c2Gc-QbD_L7nOCspbdRCdfBg0QH65SpMhnaV7BvLJNw87QMVKj8wwj/s1600/vacuum+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEFrJ9jfb7o9CeUqD9W6Noz1pTBUelL4zosYSQ5BGCokFAW_FWup3xtmkVmap1wXjydjOBs9dN-GxDawpkP09A3c2Gc-QbD_L7nOCspbdRCdfBg0QH65SpMhnaV7BvLJNw87QMVKj8wwj/s320/vacuum+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
That's when I thought trying to figure how this thing fit was like a puzzle and how a puzzle was like editing because you keep editing your steps in order to reach the end point you had drawn in your mind.<br />
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When you have an idea of how a puzzle is supposed to look like, you put that image in your head then try to recreate that image by working backwards. Before you know it, the image you had in your mind is created before your eyes. Puzzle solved! Amazing Eman!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodAmQ0v7Yof5Y2NCV_uMO3v-tWk0H3mGV78BstFmwJdm1KThmgauYz9pwZ8MGdjMs0IjkxSVWtVXOpEnQbVk3bNKgK1VR7vTe37CZs2fTK5J7Bn-XX26Nzt-34Lbv1pJIK52fdeeEb63Y/s1600/puzzle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodAmQ0v7Yof5Y2NCV_uMO3v-tWk0H3mGV78BstFmwJdm1KThmgauYz9pwZ8MGdjMs0IjkxSVWtVXOpEnQbVk3bNKgK1VR7vTe37CZs2fTK5J7Bn-XX26Nzt-34Lbv1pJIK52fdeeEb63Y/s320/puzzle+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So, armed with post-modernism in one hand and patience with the other, I solve the vacuum puzzle and managed to find the proper place in the box for all the tools. The boxed closed nicely and taped back together. The beast was put back into its cage.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRs_zKQHwISuriXVx52E9wAtairr3QSJ8S7F0kYg2eFkBZUqY4H0aAnqeO_HeYgAYIwD4EUToi9gHk5bukiin7MXTn-tTd9aAHoiy70zRujktzgRwit-QIjr6GQUOsMwSdNBzJDmKXWlY/s1600/vacuum+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRs_zKQHwISuriXVx52E9wAtairr3QSJ8S7F0kYg2eFkBZUqY4H0aAnqeO_HeYgAYIwD4EUToi9gHk5bukiin7MXTn-tTd9aAHoiy70zRujktzgRwit-QIjr6GQUOsMwSdNBzJDmKXWlY/s320/vacuum+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The third vacuum was eventually purchased from Future Shop and proved to be the winner of the vacuum challenge. It was another Hoover brand vacuum, top of the line in its class ;)Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-36465323322642791082010-11-19T19:30:00.000-08:002010-11-19T21:57:19.157-08:00The CreComm connectionAs the semester wraps up, I can't help but think about my future outside of CreCommland. I'm sure gonna miss it!<br />
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I was speaking with <a href="http://heartstringswinnipeg.blogspot.com/">Desiree</a> earlier this afternoon about how CreComm forced us to make friends; forced to mingle with, and eventually got to know the people in our major. There are a lot of amazing people, not only in my PR class but also in all of Creative Communications.<br />
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Desiree and I discussed that the connections you make in CreComm are invaluable connections because without CreComm, we all wouldn't have met. CreComm is a place where every single person in the program was hand selected by a panel of instructors who thought they all had something in common. In my first year as a Creative Communications student, I looked around my class and thought if it weren't for CreComm, I would never be friends with some of these people - they are just not my type. When in reality, we are all the same type - the CreComm type.<br />
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As the program ends next semester, I'm already thinking about what I would miss the most - the everyday interaction with my CreComm-type friends at Red River College. Only in CreComm are we able to see each other EVERYDAY, partly because we have to for class. It is because of this consistent time together that we are able to get to know each other, some even forming bonds that would last our lifetime.<br />
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It is also nice to know that there are other types like myself: creative and competitive, and that we have dominated the Manitoba market. I'm not sure yet if this is good or bad because dominating means fewer jobs for our graduating class. What I do know is that if I ever need support, the CreComm Mafia is always there to help - and occasionally, take out a few people.<br />
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The connections you make in Crecommland could come in handy later on when you are working at your dream job. Even if you feel you haven't made enough friends or feel that you haven't come out of your shell to show everyone what you're really like, rest assured the words "I went to CreComm!" goes a long way in making new friends.<br />
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Make the last semester count!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-Ofdqsq-9YZw1n5ZUvwY9rToVAlXoWPsOzJMNDlEMmm1xtANZc1j8HISIFyhb6RHOyDIL7OY8LpXbhgJTYuh24koN_bXprM258oTzXmg-Bv62JuGuJelohaTBR8DeurBoOn6AHxK5D91/s1600/crecommland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-Ofdqsq-9YZw1n5ZUvwY9rToVAlXoWPsOzJMNDlEMmm1xtANZc1j8HISIFyhb6RHOyDIL7OY8LpXbhgJTYuh24koN_bXprM258oTzXmg-Bv62JuGuJelohaTBR8DeurBoOn6AHxK5D91/s400/crecommland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-52964640091444077752010-11-16T21:51:00.000-08:002010-11-16T21:51:08.002-08:00Auto correct function on cellphone more like auto mistake functionEver tried to text a message only to send the wrong message, making you think you should have not sent a message at all?<br />
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I was told about the website called "<a href="http://damnyouautocorrect.com/">Damn You Auto Correct!</a>" and there's some truth in there.<br />
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If you ever thought you were safe with your predictive text feature on your cellphone when composing text messages, think again. Even though you'd probably never make a spelling error, you have an increased chance that you wouldn't get your message through. This was because the predictive text feature would try to predict what you were trying to spell by the pattern of your keystrokes.<br />
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See below for the unfortunate (but funny) auto correct victims:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52UKdNJo7sqSLHkpBmwBxez4hbEIpb8qQhpLVWJX-27PlBstH-3mwgSRZu-r_CjuZGAI0vDnw7xvvWGfovF7xcafcWcPYAp-2jVFLxvPCrg0HgzeagGv2NIjN-Me1_w2xT7V_Gd1-j299/s1600/auto+boogers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52UKdNJo7sqSLHkpBmwBxez4hbEIpb8qQhpLVWJX-27PlBstH-3mwgSRZu-r_CjuZGAI0vDnw7xvvWGfovF7xcafcWcPYAp-2jVFLxvPCrg0HgzeagGv2NIjN-Me1_w2xT7V_Gd1-j299/s320/auto+boogers.png" width="290" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_ASYdmRjn1q_R-ZlFzj1A2xz7eHXj1sgvVjJ68gGOW7pyh-WgKUpJWfxyVVtKNjfj9-b8lrAgvTIWy2kPtOpZAsqF4Y_OBXYSdUJzFNanFflaTlhckYVQfGwQS0eGT9-MmIqc3XTrvc-/s1600/auto+nipple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_ASYdmRjn1q_R-ZlFzj1A2xz7eHXj1sgvVjJ68gGOW7pyh-WgKUpJWfxyVVtKNjfj9-b8lrAgvTIWy2kPtOpZAsqF4Y_OBXYSdUJzFNanFflaTlhckYVQfGwQS0eGT9-MmIqc3XTrvc-/s320/auto+nipple.png" width="289" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKxBsC_NKHZLVPWNtYz35V7jQUJlFlq3pQD8LDiMZD10uAkP9t3DaJgMoQYI9lc4oqdk0qg2PWWhGUR3ax6ldSRZKzhH2N9DB77Qpp2dYj7UqeUIYm99aNvIags8eO9OCLgehQ3SSiSO2/s1600/auto+thong.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKxBsC_NKHZLVPWNtYz35V7jQUJlFlq3pQD8LDiMZD10uAkP9t3DaJgMoQYI9lc4oqdk0qg2PWWhGUR3ax6ldSRZKzhH2N9DB77Qpp2dYj7UqeUIYm99aNvIags8eO9OCLgehQ3SSiSO2/s320/auto+thong.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This hasn't happened to me personally because I know enough to set my sms composing options and turned off predictive text capabilities.<br />
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If there was one thing to learn here, that would be never to trust your cellphone's auto correct function (or computer's) and always check your writing by giving it a read :)<br />
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Happy <strike>textile</strike> texting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-46365833832433351592010-11-12T19:06:00.000-08:002010-11-12T19:06:23.665-08:00How to create a public relations planI was driving on the way to the airport to pick up my sister when I thought about what to blog. Then I thought about the word 'relations' in PR and how that pointed to building relationships.<br />
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So for the sake of my own amusement, I Google searched "How to make public relationships". Here was a snapshot of the <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_2103043_create-public-relations-plan.html">website</a> I found:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwMxfuHOhNP8lWpQIwnPx4xRtzdV_uY82kaQzpDbkpaKrwGdY8USPMX9RVhxnxbvYJfpOE_OZDTcy26Kt6lHWeBdEEofW0OL1p255tx04Zbhev_4B2LnNXc9YR-yddrZHhFIV629QhQlw/s1600/howtocreateaPRplan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwMxfuHOhNP8lWpQIwnPx4xRtzdV_uY82kaQzpDbkpaKrwGdY8USPMX9RVhxnxbvYJfpOE_OZDTcy26Kt6lHWeBdEEofW0OL1p255tx04Zbhev_4B2LnNXc9YR-yddrZHhFIV629QhQlw/s320/howtocreateaPRplan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The article from the website was titled "How to Create a Public Relations Plan" actually had some useful information. It talked about the key points to know like finding a person in the organization to represent the company; developing a media contact list; determining your organization's key messages; knowing your company's key audiences; support the key messages by using effective tools like news releases and corporate events; and finally, have a plan for crises.<br />
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Was this how public relation-ships were built? By doing all these things effectively?<br />
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When I was interviewed for a seasonal position last Christmas, I was asked why customer service was important. I replied:<br />
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<i>"I think customer service is important because there are a lot of companies competing for the same market these days (in retail). I think companies should focus on having excellent customer service values to retain the store's customers. It is more expensive for companies to acquire new customers than to retain the ones they already have. By having excellent customer service, you build loyal customers, and loyal customers are repeat customers. Customer service is important because it builds relationships."</i><br />
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I thought this was a different approach of building relationships. In some cases, the sales representative was his or her own company and the method he or she did to make the customer interaction a memorable one was the PR tool in the plan. What I meant by this was that a sales representative might use the tactic of answering questions properly and well. The sales representative could also make the customer's shopping easy by being their personal assistant in the store - not so much as tail them around the store but being available when the customer needed assistance and anticipating that opportunity when the customer might need it.<br />
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This blog post was not to educate people about how to be better sales representatives but to emphasize that relationships must be built in order for public relations to be present.Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-71978229269301472032010-11-09T21:24:00.000-08:002010-11-09T21:26:31.480-08:00Needed: quick editsWhen I worked for a <a href="http://www.mts.ca//">telecommunications company</a> in the summer, I was required to work on a tight deadline. That meant editing internal communications articles that were posted on the company intranet every week. During the festival season, I had to edit festival write ups every Monday so I could get my manager's approval on it then send it to translation. It became so routine that I knew to input my changes as soon as possible whenever I saw that piece of paper sitting on my chair. That meant my manager has input his edits and it was time for me to accept them and send the article to be translated to French the next day.<br />
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I knew time was of importance when it came to editing my festival write ups because of the process involved to get it onto the intranet site. There were some things in life that required consistency and a regular schedule. This could be experienced while working for any company.<br />
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Take for example working for Shoppers Drug Mart. Whenever they put on a sale, someone would have to 1) put on the sale tags before the sale (before they opened) and 2) take the sale tags off when the sale was done. Why? Because they wouldn't want anyone asking for the sale price when in fact the item is no longer on sale. It was very important for them to remove the sale tag prices after the sale was done to avoid negative customer interactions.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBE_ervVESEkKJ-HTR1YnW5PCYnZhjEiduikwo4lyCyfhTJF0TXY5N2f_YAbWstrCMdOeThlBqpccJkDtmv7f7kPDFvdarg5KwNdgm3cKYZ_N0mtwmmpNUrFlJgfv3bgQot4fj6Frz2_zW/s1600/edit+sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBE_ervVESEkKJ-HTR1YnW5PCYnZhjEiduikwo4lyCyfhTJF0TXY5N2f_YAbWstrCMdOeThlBqpccJkDtmv7f7kPDFvdarg5KwNdgm3cKYZ_N0mtwmmpNUrFlJgfv3bgQot4fj6Frz2_zW/s400/edit+sale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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But how about the example below? Why would a billboard company like Pattison or Viacom wait to edit Judy Wasylycia-Leis's old mayoral ad on Portage Avenue and Sherburn Street?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8vw-oeMYN_yvFFTOAHI5ohzWHVDmh3XNmOs_gIdDIraVVtkbMo2XUkUH9Q-ZGy06-o0zp40GPUTy9H_cPyEmyY6taUbY-TdnVhPaiWAeuHojj9fcGqvSinxov6crf1P8uB78Lz93YMqd/s1600/edit+judy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8vw-oeMYN_yvFFTOAHI5ohzWHVDmh3XNmOs_gIdDIraVVtkbMo2XUkUH9Q-ZGy06-o0zp40GPUTy9H_cPyEmyY6taUbY-TdnVhPaiWAeuHojj9fcGqvSinxov6crf1P8uB78Lz93YMqd/s400/edit+judy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">reads: "Because you deserve better, Judy for Mayor"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Maybe there was a signed contract? Maybe Judy wanted it left on to make people in Winnipeg think she won? Maybe Judy was not aware this actually exists? Maybe it was taken down and Sam Katz paid to put it back on? I don't know.<br />
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Either way, someone has to act fast.Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-68202462237167850262010-11-07T19:22:00.000-08:002010-11-07T19:22:55.106-08:00My first IPP shoot was a realization that I am a communicatorLet me tell you a story...<br />
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Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 was my first shoot for my Independent Professional Project (IPP). I booked a video camera, sound kit, and light kit from our department to prepare for my first round of interviews for the promotional video I was shooting.<br />
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My experience that morning was one I'll never forget. I was very nervous and anxious while waiting for the interviewees to arrive at Princess Street Campus. As I set up the tripod and three-point lighting (with the help of Chase Gouthro and Steve Dreger), I quickly realized that filming was not an uneasy undertaking, especially when you have to do it all by yourself. In TV class, we usually worked in pairs or in groups of three. Setting everything up by myself was definitely a challenge and I didn't want to miss a step like doing the white balance on the camera or the sound check on the microphone.<br />
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I finished setting up by 12:30 p.m. and my first pair of interviewees were scheduled for 1 p.m. I had lots of time to look over my interview questions and thought about how they might answer. The promotional video I was producing was for the Cultural and Language Mentor Program at Red River College. The video would help promote the program by encouraging students, faculty, and staff at RRC volunteer their time to meet either an international or immigrant student and help them get acquainted with Canadian customs and Canadian living. So essentially, the stories that were going to be shared in the video were happy, feel-good stories.<br />
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I was very nervous at the beginning of the shoot, worrying that the lighting and the set up wasn't good enough to be RRC-approved. I needed this video approved so the department I was producing it for could eventually use it when it is completed. The first couple of interviews were definitely a realization for me that this IPP was on its way to becoming something that I could show other people. It was really weird for me to be directing my subjects to do what I wanted them to do in the video and they looked back at me like I knew exactly what I was talking about; like I was an expert. I explained to them that this was just a school project. But for me, it wasn't just a school project: it was my IPP. It was the project I chose out of four other IPP ideas.<br />
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At the end of the video shoot, I would say that something awesome took place in me - that I gained more confidence in being a communicator armed with a video camera, a microphone, and fancy lighting. Until now, I've only wrote and designed communication pieces for school and at my previous job. Directing, producing, and editing videos was a whole new area that I would now need to explore in order to be the all-encompassing communicator I need to be.<br />
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After the shoot, I sat in amazement in what CreCommland allowed me to be. Eman Agpalza learned something new this weekend and that was: I know more than I think.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgZBCy8k0IQHA2xgxWCMJOZpifDws8LPTjK3gdzEbFN0ThsF-VMxVh9n9CJEj1uza47csrSfPglkoxZ5PQVeZqQOm_9ZDO3ARfiZFERm8O_LesqllJ-lAc-kRPX__IGGG207BTzJmct9m/s1600/1106101538a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgZBCy8k0IQHA2xgxWCMJOZpifDws8LPTjK3gdzEbFN0ThsF-VMxVh9n9CJEj1uza47csrSfPglkoxZ5PQVeZqQOm_9ZDO3ARfiZFERm8O_LesqllJ-lAc-kRPX__IGGG207BTzJmct9m/s400/1106101538a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-78782036150851084882010-11-02T22:04:00.000-07:002010-11-02T22:07:59.460-07:00Headline writing: more than one way to write themAs we learned to write headlines in Editing Print and Online Media class, I couldn't help but try to edit all the titles I saw around me. I really found the Canadian Press Stylebook's topic on headlines really useful in writing good headlines that attracted readers. Gone was the excuse that "I didn't know" because now I was informed of the proper techniques to write engaging headlines. Now, I just couldn't write the first thing that came to mind as my title. I have been given the knowledge to write better and more interesting headlines.<br />
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Headlines have so many different uses: it could be used in a news release; in an advertisement copy; in an article or a news story. The purpose was to grab the reader and entice them to read your article. Without a good headline, your article or news story could fall by the wayside and not be read. The good thing about headlines was that there was no one way of writing headlines and that encouraged me to keep looking for a better way to write them.Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740189539549922681.post-91037572644636792232010-10-29T21:23:00.000-07:002010-10-29T21:23:30.498-07:00Post election evaluation: I learned a lot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOq8k677dADdlR_d75Gxd3bYP8dDeCEEPBbVZ3I3FB0fl91aZn3YzcL3p3gLZJjsOO0FPmuXi8pAnxkODOhixB0h1iPzcFIyZUEfzWNyRKlwviMfYWmo1uAWEJe8CH4G_6jYqdq0QJYdV/s1600/election.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOq8k677dADdlR_d75Gxd3bYP8dDeCEEPBbVZ3I3FB0fl91aZn3YzcL3p3gLZJjsOO0FPmuXi8pAnxkODOhixB0h1iPzcFIyZUEfzWNyRKlwviMfYWmo1uAWEJe8CH4G_6jYqdq0QJYdV/s320/election.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I would pin my learning to a combination of things, but I'm thankful that it happened.<br />
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As you view the results posted on <a href="http://www.winnipeg.ca/clerks/docs/elections/2010election/">City of Winnipeg Election page</a> and on other media outlets, you would see the breakdown of the voting results down to the number of people who voted for each candidate. I thought this was very interesting because it showed exactly how many supporters each candidate had. Seeing the exact numbers was like seeing how many friends you had in Winnipeg. Scary.<br />
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I was talking with my dad one morning before school and essentially interviewing him on his thoughts about the election's outcome. He volunteered at a candidate's campaign office so he was able to tell me more information about the results that individual candidates got about there results. The candidate gave their volunteers more detailed information about polling results including how many people voted at each individual voting location in their ward. The information included the exact number of votes per candidate in the specific voting location so it gave a picture of how many supporters each candidate had in the area of the voting location. This was important for the candidate to know because it showed what areas of their ward they were most popular. My dad also told me that they were given information regarding the demographic of the voters. My dad said, though unconfirmed, that voter turn out for the ward he volunteered in was up from 33 per cent to 60 per cent of voters coming out to support.<br />
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This information was particularly useful for candidates so they can reassess their campaign strategy, if they were to run again. I just found it so interesting that candidates were given that much detailed information. Now if it were only that easy to use that information, it would make for a better campaign.Eman Agpalzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02381824753381962068noreply@blogger.com0