PR and marketing

Yesterday I had corn & quinoa soup for lunch. So what? I hear you ask. About a year or so ago a cafe in Crows Nest called Montagu started following me on Twitter.

As a result of conversations on Twitter I started going there for lunch and having business coffee ‘catch ups’ there. In the last month or so they have started tweeting me what soup they have on.

Why this is special is because I’m vegetarian. So in winter I struggle to find soup in cafes that I can eat (as most vege soups are made with chicken stock).

Now mid morning, if Montagu have a vege friendly soup available for lunch, they tweet it out and include my twitter handle so it comes into my ‘mentions’ section of Twitter. 

I love it! It means I get to eat yummy soup that I know is vege friendly. And how clever of them to use such a creative way to generate business!

Learn how to do your own PR! – My next one day workshop on PR and media releases that get results is on next Thursday (11 August). Learn how to construct a PR strategy including how to develop media angles, pitches, media releases, articles, case studies and editorials. You will also learn how to strategically use these tools to maximise your chance of achieving your PR objectives. Sydney Writers’ Centre. Book now!

I hope you enjoy this newsletter.

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Using PR and social media to engage a community
Macquarie University has been running the annual Women, Management and Work Conference for 23 years, with the 2011 conference focusing on Women and Leadership: Ignite your strengths. Leading women spoke about how women can use their unique strengths to become influential leaders.

This year, Macquarie University once again asked CP Communications to run the PR and social media of the event as well as the sponsorship drive. CP Communications drove engagement and registrations by expanding and renewing the online community, in addition to traditional PR strategies.

The focus of our strategy was to use the various issues the conference would cover, to strike a chord with the target audience. We wanted a long lasting campaign that didn’t end when the conference did.

We reignited the conversation in the online community “Women at Work Australia” which included blogging, Tweeting, Facebook and a YouTube channel. We also added a new platform, a LinkedIn group.

CP Communications identified that the media talent were the conference speakers and invited them to be involved in PR. We sent media releases, various pitches and invited the speakers to provide contributed articles, which were pitched into online publications

Yet again we achieved amazing engagement and print and online coverage.

Read how we achieved these results at CP Communications – Success Stories

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YouTube for business - How to create a professional YouTube Channel
We can all be TV stars now by starting a YouTube TV channel. Creating compelling videos helps you engage with your target audience and is a great way to bring exposure to your business and also a way to position yourself as a thought leader or expert in your field.

Here are some tips for creating quality videos:

1. Use a good camera.
   The whole point of a YouTube video is to visually show or demonstrate your product, service or expertise. There is no point in uploading a video onto YouTube that is fuzzy, dull or blurry.
2. Get the lighting right.
   Again the whole point of YouTube is to visually get your message across professionally and that also includes making sure the video looks professionally made. Make sure the lighting is even and that there are no dark shadows.
3. Buy a good microphone.
   There is nothing more frustrating than trying to decipher what someone is saying while watching a video. If you want your messages, tips and advice to be clear investing in a good quality microphone is a good idea. Also, remember to test the sound before doing the whole recording.
4. Aim for one to five minutes.
   Your audience will probably be busy people who have short attention spans. With that in mind your audience will most likely press stop after the two minute mark. If you can, create short two minute videos but if you have to go over be sure to keep within the five minute range.

Read more tips and how to set up your channel on the Public Relations Sydney blog.

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Upcoming events
Here are some events coming up that we thought you might be interested in:

Brand Management 
This one-day master class workshop will equip participants with the core knowledge and skills necessary to successfully and profitably manage a brand. Learn about brand equity, brand research, positioning and managing your brand and brand building. This workshop is designed for marketers and senior managers who have responsibilities over one or more brands within their organisation.
4 August 2011– Brisbane, Queensland

Social Media Women August: Learn about social media's role in the health industry with Heidi Allen of BodyinMind.org
Finding information about health is one of the highest uses of search engines today. Is the information we find reliable? How do we know? Is my doctor using social media? How do I feel about my health information going online? Heidi will help you understand the challenges of implementing a digital and social online strategy in a quickly evolving business ecosystem.
9 August 2011 – Sydney, NSW

Doing Business Online: The Latest Trends and the Legal Risks
The internet and Smartphones are now being used by many for business purposes. During this seminar a panel of expert speakers will present information about the latest trends and techniques being used by businesses. The legal risks of conducting an online business and how business owners can cover themselves will also be discussed.
9 August 2011 – Robina, Queensland

PR and Media Releases That Get Results with Catriona Pollard
Catriona will teach you how to construct a PR strategy that gets results. By the end of this workshop you will understand how to come up with a media angle, write a pitch, media release, article, case study and editorial. You will also learn how to strategically use these tools to maximise your chance of achieving your PR objectives.
11 August 2011 – Sydney, NSW

AFR Leadership Conference
The Australian Financial Review Leadership Conference 2011 brings you a fresh look at corporate leadership. At this one day conference learn about how to get the best out of multigenerational workforces, how to be a leader in the aftermath of a crisis and the importance of strategic HR.
16 August 2011 – Sydney, NSW

Integrating Online Services to your Existing Community Engagement Strategy
The explosion of online communications tools offers an enormous and often untapped potential to address a great deal of challenges faced by community engagement practitioners. Topics to be explored include the integration of online strategy with traditional methods of community engagement and examples of effective online strategies.
30 - 31 August 2011 – Melbourne, Victoria

Macquarie University’s Faculty of Business and Economics is launching a Bachelor of Marketing and Media, in partnership with the Faculty of Arts, to meet demand from students and industry for a degree that encompasses both Marketing and Media for successful careers in this increasingly integrated market.

Running for the first time in 2012, the degree will focus on the changing media and marketing landscape with emphasis on the theory behind modern marketing principles. Areas of study include marketing strategy and analysis, brand management, digital and social media production.

Program Coordinator, Susie Khamis said, “The Bachelor of Marketing and Media was developed in response to a growing awareness that marketing and media are increasingly intertwined and graduates with knowledge of both fields enjoy a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

“This was a great opportunity to combine skills, concepts and knowledge in the one degree and have students that are interested in both marketing and media graduate from Macquarie University with a strong, holistic overview of both fields and a range of career prospects.”

“We anticipate this degree will be highly attractive to a whole range of students. All teaching staff have industry experience in their areas of expertise, consisting of widely published academics, professional marketers and award-winning media producers,” said Ms Khamis.

Students will have access to the highest quality media facilities in Australia, with professional studio spaces, industry-standard digital workstations for all production areas, a specially-equipped theatre for screenings, and digital production tools.

The course is three years full-time or equivalent part-time in length, or four years full-time or equivalent part-time with Honours. The Honours program allows students to undertake advanced research and participate in an extended industry internship.

About Macquarie University Faculty of Business & Economics
Macquarie University’s Faculty of Business and Economics offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in addition to strong academic research in the fields of accounting and finance, actuarial studies, business, economics, marketing and management. www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au

About Macquarie Univerity Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts student-centred teaching and learning has been recognised globally as world class. Our focus on the study of ancient, Indigenous and contemporary cultures in their historical, political, cultural and social contexts provide students with a rounded view of the world around them and their place in it. www.arts.mq.edu.au

Macquarie University’s Faculty of Business and Economics is launching a Master of Corporate Governance degree which will be the first of its kind in Sydney.

Running for the first time in 2012, the degree is structured to provide a foundation in corporate governance for qualified business and public sector professionals looking to move into senior management positions that require understanding of risk, governance and control.

Associate Professor of the Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, Dr Renee Radich said, “Effective corporate governance is increasingly important in today’s global economy, and is vital for brand reputation, value creation and risk mitigation.”

“The course will be taught by business lawyers, accountants and leading researchers that will provide students with an international understanding of developments that have occurred over the last two decades.”

“The new Master of Corporate Governance propels Macquarie University’s position within the business and economics industry to new heights as a quality education provider,” said Dr Radich.

The course runs for one year full-time or two years part-time in length, and students undertake a comprehensive study of corporate governance from a financial, social, cognitive and business perspective.

Applicants must have three years work experience in a related field or an equivalent professional qualification.

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About Macquarie University Faculty of Business & Economics
Macquarie University’s Faculty of Business and Economics offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in addition to strong academic research in the fields of accounting and finance, actuarial studies, business, economics, marketing and management. http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/

Macquarie University’s flagship Women, Management & Work Conference on 28-29 July 2011 will inspire women to take the next step by utilising and building on their signature strengths to become influential leaders.

Leading women speakers will focus on strategies to achieve higher levels of women in leadership roles throughout Australia. The conference will share practical tips and tools to facilitate career progress and success.

The two-day conference is in its 23rd year and conference co-director Melanie O’Connor said, “This year we are aiming to ignite discussion and encourage women looking to make their mark in the leadership stakes to act on their strengths.”

“Debate continues to circulate around management circles as women start taking more positive and active leadership roles. But it isn’t enough. We need to ensure that the corporate landscape continues to change for the better.”

“Although we have recently seen some increases in the numbers of women in senior management roles and CEO positions, the numbers are still too small to get excited about,” said Ms O’Connor.

According to research conducted by Macquarie University’s Faculty of Business and Economics’ Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency Census 2010, women are still underrepresented within key decision maker roles within Australia. The Australian Institute of Company Directors reported that in 2010 women made up about 25 percent of board appointments in Australia, but it slipped to 11 percent for the top 200 companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

These findings highlight that few significant changes have occurred in the business landscape to address why capable women are still prevented from contributing at high levels of business.

“It is clear that we still have a long way to go to fully integrate talented women into leadership roles. We hope that this conference will continue to spark the conversations needed to make cultural change a reality,” said Ms O’Connor.

Women, Management & Work: Ignite Your Strengths conference will consist of presentations and workshops with expert speakers from diverse backgrounds and industry sectors. Each section of the conference has been specifically developed to provide practical and relevant advice on negotiation, communication, mentoring and career development.

Topics to be discussed over the two days include what the future of leadership will look like and how women fit into this concept, as well as tips on how to fast track your strengths to become an influential leader.

Date: 28 and 29 July 2011, 9am – 5pm
Where: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, 61-101 Phillip St, Sydney
For more information, program details & registration: www.lmsf.mq.edu.au/womenandleadership
Fee: $2,300


Conference speakers available to be interviewed include:
Melanie O’Connor, Managing Director, The Academy Network
Conference spokesperson. Melanie is highly regarded for her work in advising corporations in the development of talent management and capability strategies, and is considered by many to be one of the foremost advisers in this field in Australia.

Lynelle Briggs, CEO, Medicare Australia
Topic: Leadership Success Stories. Lynelle became CEO of Medicare in 2009. She has 30 years experience in the Australian Public Service. In 2004 she was appointed Australian Public Service Commissioner.

Anna Booth, Board Director & Policy Developer
Topic: The Future of Leadership. An executive director of CoSolve, a non-executive director of Industry Holdings Pty Ltd and a non- executive chair of Slater & Gordon.  Anna is a specialist in workplace relations, training and managing workplace change for positive outcomes.

Margy Osmond, CEO, Australian National Retail Association (ANRA)
Topic: The Future of Leadership. Margy is the inaugural CEO of ANRA which was established in 2006. She sits on the Boards of the Australian Sports Commission, the Bell Shakespeare Company and the Retail Employee’s Superannuation Trust.

Mara Olekalns, Professor of Management – Negotiations and Deputy Dean (Academic), Melbourne Business School
Topic: The art of negotiation: Strategies for success. Mara’s expertise is within the fields of negotiation and conflict resolution. Her research focuses on communication processes in negotiation. Mara has published in leading international management, psychology and communications journals.

Helen Conway, Director, Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency
Topic: Leadership Success Stories. Helen’s appointment as Director of EOWA comes after many years of experience in the top tiers of the corporate sector, including General Counsel, Company Secretary and the General Manager of the office of the CEO at Caltex Group and Senior Judicial Member of the NSW Equal Opportunity Tribunal.

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Women At Work Australia online community:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/womenatworkoz #WWMC
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WomenatWorkOz
Blog: http://womenatworkoz.posterous.com/

Macquarie University’s Faculty of Business and Economics is launching two new departments and a corporate governance research centre which will further position Macquarie University as a global leader in the finance and accounting sector in both research and higher education.

The new Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, led by Professor Philomena Leung will concentrate on financial accounting, management accounting, legal and audit expertise.

This new department will also house the new International Governance and Performance (IGAP) research centre which will further position Macquarie University as a global leader in the finance and accounting sector in both research and higher education.

The strengthening of Macquarie University’s offering of corporate governance and accounting has proven to be attractive to the accounting industry, with the CPA announcing the support of the centre. 

This centre of research is an innovative initiative which is actively taking a step towards improving the research, knowledge and teaching of issues such as ethics, risk, audit, sustainability and corporate governance to Macquarie’s students.

The research that will take place at IGAP will open up opportunities for international relations and collaboration, helping put Australian academics on the map on these global issues.

Macquarie University’s Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, Professor Mark Gabbott said, “The new Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, together with the new research centre will further strengthen Macquarie’s position within the finance industry as a quality education facility and place of research.”

“The new Department of Applied Finance and Actuarial Studies propels Macquarie’s position within the actuarial and banking and finance industry to new heights as a quality education provider.”

“Students gain the strength from the combined skills of our lecturers. Now actuarial studies, finance and   applied finance, are all under the one department roof, pooling the expertise and making it even stronger.”

“Applied finance students have exposure to the best lecturers and a career path into the Master of Applied Finance CFA program in the years ahead,” said Professor Gabbott.

The Faculty of Business and Economics comprises:

• Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance
• Department of Applied Finance and Actuarial Studies
• Department of Economics
• Department of Marketing and Management

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About Macquarie University Faculty of Business & Economics (FBE)
Macquarie University’s Faculty of Business and Economics offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in addition to strong academic research in the fields of accounting and finance, actuarial studies, business, economics, marketing and management. http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/

Sydney public relations & social media agency, CP Communications, has won three new accounts:  Women on Boards; Reed Business Information’s online vertical business directories; and Macquarie University’s Faculty of Business and Economics.

CP Communications will be responsible for managing strategic public relations for Reed Business Information’s vertical online directories (Infolink, Ferret, GoHospitality & FatCow) and the PR and social media for Women on Boards, and Macquarie University’s Faculty of Business and Economics. 

Director of CP Communications, Catriona Pollard said, “We are absolutely thrilled to win these new accounts.”

“Each client presents a diverse range of PR and social media opportunities that we’re excited to creatively and strategically pursue. We’re really looking forward to working with these companies and achieving some great results,” said Ms Pollard.

About CP Communications
CP Communications was established in 2001 by Catriona Pollard and focuses on new technology mixed with traditional PR techniques. CP Communications works on amazing campaigns, offering clients truly strategic and creative solutions helping them to achieve their business objectives through strategic PR programs and social media.

CP Communications works with a variety of clients from listed companies, to the City of Sydney, Macquarie University and small businesses in aged care, digital advertising, film festivals, human resources consultancies, online media, and recruitment agencies.