Courier mentor helps rookie relax, write faster

By Riley Christian, guest blogger

It is sheer luck that I was able to get an internship in time to get credit for this semester.  It was Andy Wolf, former Pulse member, who got me in contact with Larry Alter, sports editor at The Courier, and let him know that I was in need of an internship if he had a spot available. Lucky for me, he had one left.

The biggest thing I have learned is the ability to write stronger ledes for my sports stories.  I remember one of the first high school basketball stories I wrote for the Courier.  The lede went something like, “Fostoria beat Arcadia 54-33 in a boy’s basketball matchup.”  I emailed the story to Mr. Alter and waited for a response.  He got it and yelled, “Riley! You gotta have a better lede than somebody beat somebody!”  So of course I said, “Yes sir, will do!” like any first-time employee trying to make a good impression.

Now my ledes are better, and he often lets me know that I am doing much better than when I started.  Sometimes I tend to get too fancy, though, and he tells me to tone it down.  But, he’d much rather have me trying to be too fancy as opposed to boring the reader to death.

I have gotten a lot better with the amount of time it takes to finish a story as well.  Mr. Alter did not put too much pressure on me in the beginning when it came to timing, but after a few days he let me know I was spending too much time on one story.  I had to be more efficient or I was not going to survive in the sports writing business.

Most of my timing problems stemmed from learning to use the template the Courier uses for box scores and write-ups.  It’s a technical process and one little mistake could cause the entire story to be blundered. Once I got used to the template I got much faster.

I struggled with the timing because I was trying to learn the format and also because I was trying to go too fast at times. As a result, I would make simple mistakes forcing myself to backtrack and waste more time.  I quickly realized that the more I panicked, the longer it took to get the story done.  After a while, I was able to relax because I was beginning to learn the ropes.

Another great thing I learned is how to write a basketball story from only the box score.  Mr. Alter taught me how to look at the key statistics of a game, analyze them and use them in the story.  Of course, I already knew to look at the leading scorers from each team, but he taught me how to go beyond the obvious.  He taught me how to look at the tendencies of the teams such as turnovers and points per quarter.  Maybe a team exploded in the fourth quarter of a game, which led them to the one-point victory.

It’s those simple techniques that made my job easier.  I’m sure me doing better probably made his job easier as well.

This experience has been great so far. In the office, all of the other employees treat me as one of their fellow coworkers and help me as much as I need along the way.  I am learning to be a better, more efficient sports writer. I work in the evenings until almost midnight, so the late hours can be a tad stressful, but overall I like the internship.  It makes me feel like I’m working hard striving towards a greater goal.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

JustTalk: Beware civility lite

By Jeanette Drake

Kudos to public relations students at Findlay who kicked off the Keeposi+ive civility campaign.  Follow @UF_Keepositive to see how they are informing civil behavior on campus. Rather than just talking, these students have started a conversation about just talk. [Full disclosure: I am teaching the class, but credit for the campaign goes wholly to the students.]

There’s nothing simple about civility.

It can be a tough topic to talk about because no one among us is perfect. I speak from great experience of imperfection. But talk about it we must. Taking cues from P. M. Forni, author of Choosing Civility, the student account team is aptly tweeting and posting and chalking the 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct all over campus. I’m proud of the work they’re doing!

Click on these digital flash cards if you want to measure your own manners.  Be careful, though, not to substitute flash cards for a deeper understanding of civility.

Putting on a smiley face, while pleasant, is in and of itself no substitute for a deeper, more thoughtful civility. No substitute for critical thinking particularly about the greater good and long-term impact on individuals, a community and society. No substitute for legal and ethical communication. Likewise, the rewards are not extrinsic. You typically won’t get paid for sharing in real life like you can now get paid at Pheed for sharing online.

Behind the Keeposi+ive campaign is the fact that civil behavior is not quite as simple as “being positive” or a list of 25 rules. Civility is not merely being optimistic even though I’ve always thought optimism an admirable trait and, until this new study came out last month, that optimists lived longer.

Scratch the surface, and you can see the contradictions:

  1. Pay attention
  2. Acknowledge others
  3. Think the best
  4. Listen
  5. Be inclusive
  6. Speak kindly
  7. Don’t speak ill
  8. Accept and give praise
  9. Respect even a subtle “no”
  10. Respect others’ opinions
  11. Mind your body
  12. Be agreeable
  13. Keep it down (and rediscover silence)
  14. Respect other people’s time
  15. Respect other people’s space
  16. Apologize earnestly
  17. Assert yourself
  18. Avoid personal questions
  19. Care for your guests
  20. Be a considerate guest
  21. Think twice before asking for favors
  22. Refrain from idle complaints
  23. Accept and give constructive criticism
  24. Respect the environment and be gentle
  25. Don’t shift responsibility and blame

We celebrate Rosa Parks for asserting herself (Rule #17) rather than being agreeable (Rule #12).  And no one I know thinks Rachel Carson’s constructive criticism about chemicals and the environment (Rule #23) was idle complaining (Rule #22).

Those examples highlight the dialectical tension inherent in this list, but that tension exists even in the mundane moments of our lives as we struggle to do the right thing and, sometimes, to take a stand to encourage positive change.

Fast forward to the 21st century.

In 2002, the women who blew the whistle at Enron, the FBI and WorldCom were being civil when, in their organizations, they violated Rule #9 and did not respect “no”. They let their conscience guide them to ethical, legal solutions despite the suffering they would endure.

Lindsay Van did not respect “no” and as a result women will be ski jumping in their first Olympics in 2014.

Just because dialectics muddy the issue, doesn’t mean anything goes. An intern yelling at his supervisor in the middle of a staff meeting is not being civil, usually.

Civility takes work.

Raising our self-awareness is a great start. Learning about rules of civility is a useful next step. Considering the context and striving for balance while contemplating application and nuance are necessary to go further.

What is appropriate in this context? What is ethical? What is legal? What is the difference between inappropriate aggression and necessary assertiveness?

Like the NFL replacement refs, we just have to do our best despite some plays that are tough to call. When she shook her finger at the President, was Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer being civil by being assertive (Rule #17) or was she being inappropriate and breaking the rules?

Three questions help us tailor effective (and appropriate!) communication:

  1. To whom am I speaking?
  2. What is my purpose?
  3. What is the medium?

Simply put, what is the context?

In mucking through trying to figure it all out, a university context demands The Thinker at least be given a seat beside Smiley in contemplating and striving toward civility. It demands that thinking not be eliminated to make way for emoticons, emotions gone wild, or absent-minded alacrity.

So when it’s all said and done, what is civil and what is not civil?

Out of context I’m not sure, but I sure hope you have a nice day! :)


Posted in Just Talk | Tagged | Leave a comment

Allen Film & Video gives students a shot

Photo by Cat Rindler

By Travis Rindler, guest blogger

The spring semester has brought new challenges and big rewards. I’ve been able to get into my internship as a production assistant for President KC Allen at Allen Film & Video and immerse myself in the work.  I help with various production jobs from filming and assisting in the field with lights and equipment to video editing and sound editing in the studio.

Most of what I have been doing has been involved with editing a big shoot. That task had been placed entirely into my hands, and I have been grateful for the opportunity.  After having obtained the information I needed for specific software editing methods and asking for help when I needed it, I felt comfortable enough to work without much assistance.  I have been using Final Cut Pro and have become much more familiar with the program.

I’ve been able to work in the field a few times, recently at the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center here in Findlay.  That was a great experience.  I shadowed a coworker during the on-site shoot because KC wanted me to see how someone else would set up and shoot.  We used a portable camera jib, a device that would take the place of a tripod that could be moved in three-dimensional space, so that we could get as many smooth shots in different angles as possible.  We also helped edit the script down to a workable, 30-second commercial.

During our most recent on-site shoot, which ended up being a 12-hour day, the possibility came up of me being used as an independent contractor after graduation.  KC is encouraging me to enter the field outside of Ohio, but the potential for working with him is thrilling.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Choose words wisely, listen, adapt!

By Samantha Holman, guest blogger

My corporate internship has taught me so many things I don’t know where to begin. As an intern in human resources, I worked at recruiting centers where they hire employees and do orientations. I worked with district managers where we helped store managers run their stores properly and efficiently. I worked with the Marketing Coordinator who regulates pricing.

Throughout the semester, I got a chance to use many skills I learned at The University of Findlay. At the recruiting centers I got to use skills learned during Dr. Hampton-Farmer’s Interviewing class. Working at the stores taught me about suggestive selling and interacting with customers.

This internship experience has taught me to choose my words wisely and to listen carefully. I have had to use communication skills to calm people down and to empathize with people.

Through it all, I realize I have learned a lot about communication. I have learned how to discipline someone, how to have difficult hygiene conversations with people, and even how to terminate someone. The list could go on and on. I’ve been put in so many situations where I had to adapt my own communication, and I was prepared for the conversations because I knew about communication styles and techniques.

When I first started no one took me seriously, but that changed as I grew more comfortable in my role and as I experienced more situations. I learned how to be assertive without being mean or acting like a dictator.

At first I thought working in HR would be difficult, but it turns out I really enjoyed it. I was lucky to have had this amazing opportunity.  It is exciting to work for a company that is continually expanding and growing.  My overall experience has been positive and eye opening. I am grateful for the internship because it has given me many networking opportunities and skills that I may not have developed otherwise.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

FFA internship provides national stage

By Abbey Nickel, guest blogger

Someone I admire once said, “it’s not necessarily about the grades you make, but the hands you shake along the way that will have the biggest impact.”  After completing an internship with The National FFA Organization this past fall, I realized just how true those words were. Grades matter – but networking, building relationships with mentors, and making connections can have an invaluable impact.

After I started my college career at The University of Findlay, I often reflected on the influence FFA had on my life during high school and wondered if there was a way I could stay involved. Luck was on my side when I stumbled across an internship posting on the National FFA website.  The organization was seeking five interns to serve as reporters in its newsroom for the national convention in Indianapolis, which typically draws an audience of 60,000.

So I got busy

  1. Digging up clips from The Pulse and preparing my resume and cover letter
  2. Revising and reevaluating my application dozens of times
  3. Finally submitting all of it and hoping for the best
  4. Making follow-up calls during the next months to check the status of my application

And I got in!

Eventually, I received an email telling me I had been accepted. Being able to combine my career aspirations with an organization I hold so close to my heart was an inexpressible feeling. This was my first time in a newsroom outside of UF, so the idea was both exciting and terrifying.

My weeklong internship taught me a lot about:

  • Being a versatile storyteller.  Even though I was assigned a beat, I still was thrown into different situations and was required to present a story for various formats. Some articles went directly online, either onto a blog or the national website, or they were sent for publication in the national magazine or newsletter. My audience was different for every story – and I had to keep that in mind even during my interviews and preliminary research.
  • Being able to “think like a journalist.” If I had any downtime, I would walk around the convention center and just observe – and I would occasionally strike up conversations with FFA members, parents, and their advisers to see if I could scope out a story.  I met people from all walks of life and found unique stories.
  • Being able to work efficiently. I saw first-hand how the digital world has changed our profession. I had to work quickly following each event so content could be posted immediately to the blog and social media.

Words can’t describe how appreciative I am for my education at UF and how well it has prepared me. I felt confident going into every interview and prepared for every story I wrote. My class work and time with The Pulse provided me with the knowledge and ability to write articles that were published in large publications – something I had only dreamed of.

You can’t fully comprehend the value of what all you learn in the classroom until you take it and apply it outside of the classroom.

During my week covering the national convention the hands I was fortunate enough to shake have helped me network in ways I didn’t think possible.  Not only was I asked to return next year, but I was also invited to freelance for the National FFA.

Turns out “shaking hands“ is pretty important.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

The art of the internship

By Colleen Wagner, B.A. 2012, guest blogger,

Since I have had the opportunity to work as an intern with The Arts Partnership in Findlay for almost two years, I have gotten to know a lot of the people from other organizations we work with, as well as a lot of the volunteers.  I consider them family.

When I first started interning with the Arts Partnership I was terrified they wouldn’t like me or that I didn’t know enough, but I got over those fears soon enough.

At first, I did basic intern work.  Then the more I started to show the staff what I knew, the more tasks they were giving me. It was exciting to be able to write news releases and create posters and whatnot and even have access to social media accounts to be able to promote the organization. By the end, I was helping with technology problems such as computer and printer issues or setting up new cell phones and tablets to work properly.  It felt nice to be needed and appreciated.

Other work I did included:

  • Introducing Google docs as an efficient way to manage volunteer registration
  • Developing a template in Constant Contact with a photo linking to the Facebook page and an album from a previous performance
  • Providing feedback on the website redesign

It was an honor when the executive director entrusted me to be included with board members and staff to give feedback on a new web design.  I drew on what I’d been learning in the classroom.

How did my studies prepare me?

Through my digital media class with Jens Hatch where we had to create a website and integrate social media, I learned a lot about the flow of a website and how to make sure it is user-friendly.  One little thing wrong with the website can affect the entire look and potentially steer someone away.  Even a slight mistake can affect your reputation.

Speaking of reputation, my work with PRSSA has reaffirmed my belief in having someone read over what you’ve done to get a “second set of eyes” on things.  Everyone in my current job laughs at me for suggesting it, but I have noticed they all have started doing it too because they realize mistakes are bad for business.  One typo can affect everything!

Something I did at The University of Findlay that prepared me well for my internship was putting together news releases and working on websites.  I have been asked to type up a lot of letters, memos and news releases and even to design fliers.

What have I learned in the field?

With the Arts Partnership, I’ve had the invaluable opportunity to learn about event-planning first-hand. Our first big event during the semester was the Country Craze concert, which featured country superstar Phil Vassar and opening act Natalie Stovall.  Year-end concerts featured Eddie Money and The Blues Brothers.

Then the staff decided they wanted to have a season opener for the Marathon Petroleum Performing Arts Series. This event helped me realize all of the work that goes into one concert. From building and maintaining sponsor relationships to branding the event and negotiating with the talent, I learned so much in just a few weeks. Since I want to work in the sports and entertainment industry, these experiences really put in perspective what I can expect to encounter when I am in a professional position.

One thing I have come to understand is how important knowing your audience is.  I think surveying the community to see which artists would interest them, could yield even more successful events.

What were some highlights?

  • We had school day performances with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and the Harry the Dirty Dog book that was turned into a play for students. My favorite part was getting to see the children’s faces and how excited they were by the end of the performance.
  • Art Walk was also a great experience. I never realized how many artists there were in our town until I had to walk around and take pictures at all the participating galleries.
  • Of all of the shows, the comedic hypnotist Frederick Winters was my favorite. He was an incredibly friendly entertainer, and he put on such a funny show.  My favorite part of working with TAP at these events was getting to meet and talk to these artists.

This internship fits in with the beginning of my career path because it made me realize how much I enjoy working in a non-profit environment.  It made me aware of how many non-profits there actually are just in a town the size of Findlay and how important these organizations are to the community.

Working with the staff at the Arts Partnership has been an important part of my college experience. On top of valuable hands-on learning, it has helped me network within the community and has given me a good list of references.  You really have to work with a lot of different groups when putting a single event together, so it is important to keep up on your people skills. I have come to realize how important networking is and how important it is to build your own reputation.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Majority rule and minority rights, right?

A holiday op-ed about separation of church and state

By Andrew Flinn, guest blogger

Every year at this time we hear about town councils prohibiting the placement of nativity scenes in town squares because people in the community have expressed concern (and in many cases filed lawsuits) to make sure the separation of church and state remains intact. While I am in favor of the separation, I think that councils generally miss the point.

From a public relations perspective, it seems like caving to the pressures to remove such displays, many of which have been community staples for years, leads to more backlash than before. Elected officials who vote for such measures are voted out of office, and community support for things such as bond issues evaporates. So why do they do this?

I suppose it’s to avoid the lawsuits. Many are more than happy to file a lawsuit at the drop of a hat simply because they are “offended” by something. But it seems like these councils fail to take into consideration larger issues.

Certainly if a majority of people in the community feel that the scene should be displayed elsewhere, then it should. I often wondered why churches don’t simply set up these scenes on their own property. However, if the majority of people in the town want the display placed where it was, then the community should heed those voices.

I don’t understand, and perhaps never will, why people who are in the minority can dictate rules that all must adhere to. I’ve always believed in the principle of respect the minority, but it is the will of the majority that allows something to be so, and this is especially true if the display in question is being funded entirely by private funds, so no public resources are being used.

I don’t know why being offended by something means that you cannot be subjected to it, and I don’t know why it gives you some sort of a virtue that means you are above reproach. There are many things in this world which offend me, but I choose to either ignore, or at least go out of my way to live with them. I don’t want to impose my will on those who would disagree with me, and I would hate to have someone else do that to me.

But let’s get back to public relations. Before issuing rulings, communities should consider the potential for backlash. Sure there are people who may threaten to sue the community, but again, if, upon doing the research, it is found that the community, by and large, finds no fault in such displays, then the community should seriously take that into consideration before issuing a ruling. Failure to do so can create more problems in the long run.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Tweet revenge: When viral campaigns go bad

By Andrew Flinn, guest blogger

It’s amusing, isn’t it, to see a company or famous person trying to be the new “it” thing or make something go viral as if that’s the only goal. For every video or story you see going viral, there are countless others that simply fall flat. And when companies try to emulate the success of viral marketing, more often than not, they create PR disasters.

Papa Johns, the pizza chain is finding out now how much of a problem this can be. Starting in 2010 the company (or rather its affiliated restaurants if you take the company line) decided it would be a good idea to send text messages to individuals who ordered pizzas from its businesses. Now, in and of itself, this isn’t really an issue, except that Papa John’s didn’t allow consumers to opt into the service, and the total number of messages sent to individuals was so annoyingly high that a class action lawsuit is now in the works to address the problem.

Regardless if Papa John’s wins or not, this suit sets a precedent other companies need to heed. Of course the Papa John’s case is not an isolated incident.

Many people probably remember the Life Lock commercials with CEO Todd Davis blatantly advertising the identify theft protection service. Davis went as far as to announce his actual social security number in an effort to demonstrate his faith in the service. He literally dared identity thieves to steal his identity. Well, they did.

Some of the worst campaigns are the ones that ask people to submit user-generated content. In and of itself, this isn’t a bad strategy, except companies shouldn’t jump in blindly. Shell Gas found this out, as well as Chevrolet, when company promotions asked users to submit content for ad campaigns and people submitted parody ads meant to show how inept and out of touch, or even dangerous, these companies were. The parody ads went viral, as one might expect, and the companies were forced to put together a PR strategy to combat the ineffectiveness of their ad campaigns.

From accidental tweets to gotcha YouTube clips, from texting to mobile apps… I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of the infamous viral campaign from which a company will need to recover.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

We don’t have to sit on the fence about front groups

By Jeanette Drake

When it comes to deciding what’s ethical and what’s unethical in the world of strategic communication you’ll never be at a loss for gray area, but the issue of front groups is a bit more clear-cut.  On this issue, we need not be wishy-washy.

What is a Front Group?

According to the Center for Media & Democracy, a front group is “an organization that purports to represent one agenda while in reality it serves some other party or interest whose sponsorship is hidden or rarely mentioned.”

If you’re creating or using a front group, you know it.  But it’s not so easy for the public to see through the smokescreen. And there still are shades of gray, including groups that do not hide their sponsors but operate under intentionally misleading monikers.

One of the best examples of a front group turned up a few years ago right in our backyard when Ohio voters were faced with issues on the ballot from two different camps – one from SmokeFree Ohio and one from Smoke Less Ohio.

Huh?

Exactly. Confusion was the goal.

SmokeFree Ohio v. Smoke Less Ohio

In Ohio in 2006, voters approved the Ohio Smoke Free Workplace Act, a statewide ban on smoking in workplaces; however, it wasn’t for a lack of effort from a tobacco front group.

Mark Grimsley explained the difference on his blog The Ohio Twenty-First. “’Issue 4 is a sham written by Big Tobacco’s lobbyists.”

“The worthy measure is Issue 5, sponsored by the American Cancer Society…and a coalition of health groups called ‘Smoke Free Ohio’…This measure would eliminate smoking in indoor public working environments..”

“The sham measure is Issue 4, put forward by the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, RJReynolds Tobacco…under a PAC entitled ‘Smoke Less Ohio,’ a spin name for special interests who desire more smoking in Ohio.”

NBC’s Lea Thompson’s report, “A smoke screen at the ballot box,” exposed the methods tobacco companies used to try to affect the outcome.

Voters weren’t fooled this time.

Front groups are often used by practitioners whose moral compass is without the magnet of a professional code of ethics such as that provided by the Public Relations Society of America. But PRSA is not bulletproof. Front groups are also used by members or member organizations.

While many principles from the PRSA Code of Ethics apply here, including “serving the public interest” and ensuring honesty, one provision speaks directly to the problem with front groups, “disclosure of information.”

Disclosure of Information

The core principle behind this provision is that “open communication fosters informed decision making in a democratic society.” Its intent is to “build trust” with the public by “revealing all information needed for responsible decision making.” The code states, “A member shall reveal the sponsors for causes and interests represented.”

What’s the moral of the story? When in doubt, get it out. Disclose.

Posted in Jeanette Drake, Just Talk | Tagged , | Leave a comment

One person’s front group…

By Andrew Flinn

Ever see an ad for an organization or person that comes from an organization you’ve never heard of? If you paid attention this election season, you no doubt noticed ads like this. “Americans for Prosperity” or “Americans for Freedom” being some stereotypical names for these advocacy groups but all purport to support either a candidate or cause. Once the election season is over, we never hear from these groups anymore. Where do they go?

Well, the sad truth is, many of them are nothing more than “Front Groups” which are designed to represent a cause or organization without actually being a part of that group. The theory behind this is that people must be too stupid to notice that they are, basically, the exact same group, and will think they are a totally different entity. This is a problem for PR professionals, and really, a danger which erodes the public’s trust in the work of PR.

It isn’t a new trend. Going back well over a hundred years, front groups and organizations were created as a way to help raise awareness or to provide cover and plausible deniability about a product, group, or cause. Many of the intelligence services such as the CIA, KGB, and so forth set up groups in countries throughout the entire world that were purported to be independent but were run almost entirely by the sponsor organization. In this same mold, it isn’t really different today than it was in the old days.

An organization or candidate cannot say all the things they may want to say about their opponents so they create front groups to lash out at the more serious, outlandish, or just plain immature charges and then can appear to be above the fold.

For a clear example of this in action, look at the debate between the Humane Society of the United States, and the Center for Consumer Freedom. Both of these organizations are advocacy organizations designed to raise donations for legal and lobbying purposes and nothing more, and both employ front groups to get the word out about their actions to make it appear like independent analysis.

HSUS employs front groups such as the National Federation of Humane Societies and event PETA to get the word out and raise awareness to what it deems to be just animal causes. By doing so, it can direct one of these fronts to attack an organization and then claim it had no part in it. Likewise, the Center for Consumer Freedom, namely through a front group called HumaneWatch uses similar tactics against HSUS and then can claim they it was an independent attack.

If you’re interested, Google that debate sometime, as it’s rather interesting.

Another related topic to this is the practice of Astroturfing. Astroturfing is the practice of using corporate sponsorship at the local level to give the appearance of groundswell support for an organization or cause where there isn’t one. Its name is derived from the term “grassroots”. The Federal Trade Commission regulates astroturfing but, these laws are rarely enforced. The Occupy Wall Street movement and the Tea Party movement are two organizations which have recently been accused of using astroturfing in their various campaigns.

For its part, the Public Relations Society of America condemns the use of front groups or astroturfing as they both undermine the public’s confidence and trust in the industry of PR. PRSA doesn’t make a distinction between a front group and astroturfing (as Astroturf is a brand name), and condemns the practice in all forms.

When discussing the recent health care debate, PRSA Chair Michael Cherenson said that the organization bans the practice, but it doesn’t seem to help. Being quoted in Politico, Cherenson noted;

“There’s all these groups making claims and you don’t really know who is standing behind those claims — we’re seeing it more and more in the health care debate. This combination of front groups and propaganda is making for a pretty dangerous environment out there.”

It’s true. Front groups and astroturfing does erode the public’s confidence, and when genuine examples of these practices are brought forth, they should be called out, as PRSA does. But what may be a front group for one may be a grassroots organization for another.

Any wonder why the public is so cynical these days. Who can you trust?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment