Update: CGPR Spring Initiatives

This spring, the Center for Global Public Relations has developed new initiatives and programs to get students, practitioners, scholars, and educators involved in the global dialogue about international public relations. 

CGPR staff have designed and implemented a monthly professional speaker series. This series, titled “PR Power Hour,” features Center advisory board members who come on campus to talk to students. In January, Joe Carleo, APR discussed Charlotte diversity and why it matters to a PR student. This month, Natalia Flores, APR, director of Fusion Communications, will give students insider tips on their first jobs in PR in her session titled, “The Top Ten Tips for PR Newbies.”

Spring 2011 Staff Members

The Center will also host an International Public Relations Teaching Colloquium on Thursday, April 19 from 1pm-3pm in UNC Charlotte’s Student Union, Room 200.  This colloquium will feature faculty who teach international public relations and practitioners who can bring unique insights into what should be taught in such courses as well as make general curricular recommendations. The colloquium will be relatively informal but promises to be quite substantive. It will be of great value to faculty, including those who perhaps are not teaching international public relations courses presently but who might want to develop such a course for their institutions.

Finally, CGPR will host its Second Annual Global Research Conference on Friday, April 20. Last year, at the first annual conference, approximately 60 people were in attendance; this year, we're expecting around 75 attendees. The participants come from all around the United States. Last year, we also had participants from Indonesia and Russia.

During the morning session, the conference will include roundtable discussions as scholars and practitioners present their research on topics including public diplomacy, corporate social responsibility, social media, and globalization. Following the keynote speaker, there will be a global panel featuring scholars and practitioners speaking on public relations in various cultures. Speakers include Oliver Schmidt (C4CS), Joe Epley (Epley Consulting) and Dr. Juan Carlos Molleda (University of Florida).

For more information on any of these events please email the Center at centergpr@uncc.edu. For a complete overview of CGPR's ongoing initiatives please visit our website at cgpr.uncc.edu or read the latest edition of our newsletter, The Blue Book.


By Kate Brissenden 
Associate Manager

How the 2012 global research conference can benefit you

As the date to submit abstracts for our upcoming April 20, 2012 global research conference, “Communicating Beyond Borders: Building Relationships Among Governments, NGOs and Corporations”approaches, here’s a (brief) list of reasons why YOU should attend:

1. Meet with other scholars/educators and practitioners with similar research interests from the region, nation, and even the world.
2. Expand your own boundaries. Our conference focuses on more than strictly public relations with an interdisciplinary approach, welcoming scholars from all fields with an interest in government, NGOs and corporate communication.
3. To engage – this is not a college lecture hall: our conference is set up so you get the chance to interact with other participants through a round table discussion format.
4. Be inspired to research a new area; at the conference, with diverse participants and topics, you may be motivated to study a new topic you had never considered.
5. Recharge your batteries – by April, ‘spring fever’ is in full-force. Rejuvenate yourself and your academic interests through interaction with other scholars/educators, practitioners, and students.
6. Visit Charlotte! Selected to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Charlotte is booming as never before – with auto racing, museums, gardens, and excellent Southern cuisine, the city has a lot to offer. Bonus: the average temperature for April is a comfortable 72 degrees.

And to find out the other benefits not listed, be sure to submit an abstract and make plans to attend!

For more information on the 2012 conference, please visit our website:http://cgpr.uncc.edu/events/2012-global-research-conference.

By Chelsea Wilde
Manager

Beyond Web 2.0 for PR Professionals

How we communicate as individuals and business leaders changes daily on the whim of whatever new social networking trend is garnering the most popularity among consumers. Communication occurs today at the speed of light or faster. This gains momentum and crosses national borders and language barriers. The ramifications of not keeping an ever present eye on the ever present waves of citizen journalists and consumer driven opinion posts would be, for a business, at the least problematic and at the worst disastrous.

Control of the Uncontrollable
Never before has the practice of Public Relations both internally and externally been of greater importance. Today's consumer has found their voice and it is online speaking through tweets and blogs talking to networks regarding how they feel about your business or service.

Keeping that in mind these tips may be ways a business leader and communication staff can stay ahead of the incoming tides of Web 2.0.
1. Now is the time to use the employees as your best brand ambassadors

2. Offer alternating department’s opportunities to blog or tweet innovations and services improvements

3. Allowing the employees ownership creates a better environment for consumers and employees to handle any issues as they arise

4. Begin pitching to independent and industry bloggers as if they are conventional media (avoid the mistake of assuming they don't drive consumer choice)

5. Go viral with your networks. By knowing your base consumers allow them to spread your message through viral communication efforts in video, audio, or other creative avenues

6. Criticism is part of the social networking risk. Engage the criticism in a real and conversational way. Don't clog the social networks with corporate lingo that will get you nowhere

7. You are in their world now so follow their codes of conduct. Don't falsely manipulate perception. Engage the users where they congregate. Use real time response or encouraging reviews of those followers

Tips for 2.0 takeaways

- Global impact
- Target your audiences where they are
- Use employee ambassadorship to boost morale and customer support
-Treat citizen journalists as you would any conventional journalist
-Know the rules and code of conduct in the sphere you are using
-engage consumer base and go viral

Social Media and Your Brand

When we upload photos to Facebook, send a tweet about our social lives, or write an opinionated piece on a blog, we don’t often think about how we’re being represented nor how others may perceive us. However, when we engage in activity on these different forms of social media, we are also developing and establishing our personal brand.

According to branding expert, Dan Schawbel, a brand helps one “...differentiate themselves and stand out from a crowd by identifying and articulating their unique value proposition, whether professional or personal, and then leveraging it across platforms with a consistent message and image to achieve a specific goal.”

Whether you know it or not, you currently have and are cultivating your very own personal brand every moment you log on to your favorite social networking site.

CGPR Events: Spring 2011 Advisory Board Meeting

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After another successful semester, we look forward to sharing our accomplishments and plans with you at the Advisory Board meeting next Thursday (April 14) from 3 to 5 p.m. The meeting will be in room 145 in the College of Health and Human Services on the UNC-Charlotte campus.

For more information, contact the Manager of the Center, Chelsea Wilde at cwilde@uncc.edu.

CGPR Events: Research Conference, "Exploring Global Issues and Relationships"

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The Center For Global Public Relations invites you to participate in the first annual Global Research Conference, "Exploring Global Issues and Relationships".

This multidisciplinary conference will showcase research and position papers about globalization as a phenomenon that impacts all discipline and professional occupation worldwide as well as society-at-large. The conference is designed to encourage discourse across disciplines about global issues and their resolutions.

The conference will include guest speakers from several professional and academic arenas, round-table discussions and will feature keynote speaker Jay DeFrank, Vice President of Communications for Pratt & Whitey.

- Conference tickets are currently $65

- To register, contact Dr. Dean Kruckeberg for a registration form and payment options at dkruckeb@uncc.edu or Kiya Ward at Kward14@uncc.edu

- For more details on The Center For Global Public Relations, visit our official website at http://cgpr.uncc.edu/

How To Network Like A Pro

In the public relations career field, as well as in any other profession, learning to network --- and doing so effectively --- is vital.

When I say networking, I'm not referring to the contemporary style of social networking behind a computer screen, in which you merely gain a vague sense of your new contact. Rather, I'm referring to the old-fashioned, face-to-face style of networking. After all, you cannot form a strong relationship with a potential affiliate (be it a journalist, media representative or another professional associate) without actually knowing them.

Here are a few tips that will enable you to network like a pro:

CGPR Notables: Dr. Dean Kruckeberg

Dr. Dean Kruckeberg, Executive Director of the Center for Global Public Relations (left), and Dr. Katerina Tsetsura, University of Oklahoma (middle) and a member of the Center’s advisory board, are awarded the Brigham Young University Top Ethics Paper Award by BYU’s Dr. Brad Rawlins March 12 at the International Public Relations Research Conference in Miami, Florida.

Congratulations, Dr. K!

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Relief: How We Can Help

According to the BBC News: Japan's most powerful earthquake since records began has struck the north-east coast, triggering a massive tsunami. Cars, ships and buildings were swept away by a wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude tremor, which struck about 400km (250 miles) north-east of Tokyo. A state of emergency has been declared at a nuclear power plant, where pressure has exceeded normal levels.

Officials say 350 people are dead and about 500 missing, but it is feared the final death toll will be much higher.

Aside from the inevitable public relations crisis in Japan (adhering to the theme of this blog), due to the recent catastrophic events, the heart wrenching plight of Japanese citizens is an immediate call for urgency.

Find out ways that we can help, click HERE for more information (via Crowdrise).

Seeking a Summer PR Internship?

Are you currently seeking an internship to gain insight into your prospective career?Look no further: The Center for Global Public Relations offers an accredited internship opportunity for students during the Spring, Fall & Summer semesters.

Guidelines For Contributing To The Global Public Relations Blog

If you wish to contribute to the Global Public Relations Blog, here are a few simple guidelines to adhere to:

5 Reasons Why Social Media Is Important

As the current social media intern for the Center of Global Public Relations, I am often posed with the question: "Why is social media important?". Thus, I have decided to put together a comprehensive list of '5 Reasons Why Social Media is Important'.

1) Social Media = Free Marketing: Posting content on popular social media outlets means potentially sharing your business with the 500+ million users of Facebook and/or the 190+ million users of Twitter --- in countries all over the world.

2) Social Media Is Captivating: According to a 2010 Nielsen scan, the average social-networking user around the world spent more than five and a half hours, monthly, on sites like Facebook and Twitter.

3) Social Media Appeals To Various Demographics: Every age group, gender, social class and race is represented on various social networking sites. A social media presence on websites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Youtube is highly beneficial for your business.

4) Social Media Is Paperless: Observe Amazon's popular Kindle device (an electronic, portable reader capable of storing multiple books) or the surge in E-Zines; everything is becoming paperless.

5) Use Social Media To Gather Feedback: Though sharing content is a great use for social media, another great use is gathering feedback. Feedback helps any business or organization monitor their brand.

Though I've listed many positive aspects, can you think of other reasons why social media is important?

What Is The Center For Global PR? - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Center For Global Public Relations (CGPR)?

A: A resource for practitioners, scholars/educators and students worldwide who want to increase their knowledge about global public relations.

Q: What is required of global public relations practitioners?

A: Specialists in global public relations must have the strategic, tactical and technical knowledge and skills that are required of all public relations practitioners. However, specialists in global public relations must have additional education and experience that increase the breadth and depth of their worldview to enable them to better understand, appreciate and respect the range of social, political, economic and cultural environments worldwide.

Q: What type of resources does the CGPR provide?

A: The Center For Global Public Relations provides a range of professional development opportunities for students & facilitators alike. To learn a bit more about our resources, click HERE.

Q: What type of events are to be hosted by the CGPR this semester?

A: This semester we will be hosting various events, including the Traveling Road Show, a U.K. Public Relations Seminar, an Advisory Board meeting and the 2011 CGPR Research Conference.

Q: How may I get involved?