PR and marketing

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/

Media releases are often the first thing that comes to mind when discussing public relations. They are a tried and true method, and are often very successful. However there is much more to public relations than the media release.

There’s been a lot of talk recently about whether media releases are still relevant. PR methods change with the times. With many brands vying for attention and so many stories wanting to be told in the media, it’s not enough to send a few media releases and hope that the coverage will follow. In fact, it’s just lazy PR.

Next time you start writing a media release, stop and think about what you want to achieve. Which publication do you want to be covered in? Who is your intended audience? What story do you want to tell? Then decide whether a media release is definitely the right way to go.

Start by reading the magazine or newspaper that you want your news to be featured in. This will give you an idea of their style, and details such as whether they take contributed articles and whether they feature case studies.

Remember, journalists receive so many media releases that yours can easily become another deleted email. While media releases are still often used, there are many more ways of building your brand.

• Writing a case study: a case study demonstrates your experience and knowledge by telling people about your company’s projects and achievements. Many magazines feature case studies in every issue, and often these have been pitched in. Case studies can also be used to illustrate a pitch or media release, bringing life to the story you are telling.
• Contributing an article: an article that shares your expert knowledge can be a great story. A great way of doing this is to write a ‘how to’ article that is relevant to the audience of the publication.
• Pitching an idea for a story or interview: a newsworthy topic for an upcoming feature in a publication is often a very successful technique to tell your news, establish yourself as a leader in the field, and strengthen your brand. Just make sure that you have a designated spokesperson for the brand who is comfortable giving interviews.

Your chosen tactic must take your PR objectives into account and the information you would like to tell your audience. If your goal is to establish yourself as an expert in the field, a contributed article might be a better tactic than a media release. This isn’t to say that media releases should never be used, but they should be used only when they are most appropriate, when there is something newsworthy to say.

Ten women selected by UBS will also participate in the program.

The 2011 season programme will open on 19 January kicking off with the smash hit The Social Network followed by a season line-up of films for everyone plus great new food options and themed nights.

Now in its eighth season, ME Bank Starlight Cinema offers a fun, relaxed atmosphere for all ages where everyone can picnic under the stars while watching the best new films as well as some old favourites.

Jill Keyte, Producer of ME Bank Starlight Cinema said, “We have 34 great films on the programme and every night has its own theme. This is looking to be our biggest season yet!”

Nightly themes include Action-Packed Wednesdays, Comedy & Adventure Thursdays, Fun & Romance Fridays and Big Movie Saturdays. Young & Free Sundays are aimed at young people, with Easy A screening in the first week. Dedicated family nights are alternating Friday and Saturday nights, with films such as the hugely popular Toy Story 3.

“What better way to watch a great film than under the stars on a warm summer evening? Make yourself comfortable on the soft grass and relax in front of our huge (16m x 8m) inflatable movie screen,” said Ms Keyte.

This season features new, delicious dinner options available at the venue including Crust Gourmet Pizza, which customers can pre-order and save 10 percent with free delivery to North Sydney Oval, and Simple and Irresistible Thai, who have put together a specially-designed dinner menu. There is also Pieces of Provence hampers, cheese and antipasto platters, and a barbeque on the busiest nights.

There will be a series of special events including Surf and Snow on 27 February which will bring the waves and snow with new Australian surf film, First Love plus That’s It That’s All to North Sydney Oval for lovers of action sports. Valentine’s Day on 14 February features the classic romantic comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

There will be costumes and dancing at Grease on 11 February and Hairspray on 20 February, and don’t miss the always-popular LAN Brazilian Festa, a fabulous night of Brazilian culture, on 19 February.

The 2011 season will be the second year ME Bank has been the major sponsor of Starlight Cinema in North Sydney. Ian Hendey, Group Executive, Brands and Products at ME Bank said, “This great summer event provides us with a unique opportunity to bring ME Bank closer to the local community.”

Bring a blanket, hire a backrest or sit in the Crust Lawn Lounge, where customers will have a great view from a bean bed right in front of the screen. ME Bank Starlight Cinema also offers Star Class, with VIP entry and service.

There is a film for everyone – young, old, couples, friends and families. Some of the highlights are The Social Network, potential Academy Award winner The King’s Speech, Love and Other Drugs, Burlesque with Cher and Christina Aguilera, the acclaimed Natalie Portman in Black Swan and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1).

ME Bank Starlight Cinema will run at North Sydney Oval from Wednesday 19 January until Saturday 5 March 2011, screening Wednesday to Sunday. Gates open at 7.00pm and films begin at sundown. There is covered seating for rainy nights.

Tickets can be bought at the gate or online at www.starlightcinema.com.au.

ME Bank Starlight Outdoor Cinema is launching its eighth season at North Sydney Oval, with a fabulous line-up of new release and classic films.

ME Bank Starlight Cinema offers a fun atmosphere for all ages where everyone can picnic under the stars while watching the best new films as well as some old favourites.

Jill Keyte, Producer of ME Bank Starlight Cinema said, “We have 34 great films on the programme and every night has its own theme. This is looking to be our biggest season yet!”

Nightly themes include Action-Packed Wednesdays, Comedy & Adventure Thursdays, Fun & Romance Fridays, Big Movie Saturdays and Young & Free Sundays. Family films are showing on alternating Friday and Saturday nights.

“What better way to watch a great film than under the stars on a warm summer evening? Make yourself comfortable on the soft grass and relax in front of our huge (16m x 8m) inflatable movie screen.”

“The North Sydney Oval has proven to be very popular over the past seven years, as it is a beautiful, relaxing outdoor location. We have another great line-up of films and early bookings show that this season will be as big as ever,” said Ms Keyte.

The 2011 season will be the second year ME Bank has been the major sponsor of Starlight Cinema in North Sydney.

Ian Hendey, Group Executive, Brands and Products at ME Bank said, “This great summer event provides us with a unique opportunity to bring ME Bank closer to the local community.”

“Over the seven-week season, we look forward to sharing in the fun and entertainment with our customers, shareholders and staff,” said Mr Hendey.

Bring a blanket, hire a backrest or sit in the Crust Lawn Lounge, where customers will have a great view from a bean bed right in front of the screen. ME Bank Starlight Cinema also offers Star Class, with VIP entry and service.

There is a film for everyone – young, old, couples, friends and families. Some of the highlights are The Social Network, potential Academy Award winner The Kings Speech, Love and Other Drugs, Burlesque with Cher and Christina Aguilera, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Breakfast at Tiffany's, plus two great lifestyle movies, the new surf film, First Love (releasing for Valentine’s Day) and spectacular snowboard film, That’s It That’s All, not previously seen on the big screen.

This season will feature two special events, The LAN Brazilian Festa on Saturday 19 February and Valentine’s Day on Monday 14 February.

ME Bank Starlight Cinema will run at North Sydney Oval from Wednesday 19 January until Saturday 5 March 2011, screening Wednesday to Sunday. Gates open at 7.00pm and films begin at sundown. There is covered seating for rainy nights.

Tickets can be bought at the gate or online at www.mebankstarlightcinema.com.au.

A picturesque alpine property set amongst the playground of Australian celebrities will be the first Snowy Mountain property to be sold online. 

The “Jillamatong” property located on the Alpine Way, the ‘golden mile’ between Jindabyne and Thredbo is expected to draw a large amount of interest from around Australia due to its close proximity to two of the major snow fields and a major tourism area of Australia. 

The property will be marketed to potential buyers by Kosciusko First National using SOLDONLINE.COM.AU, Australia’s premier online property auction provider, with bidding starting on 9 December and ending on 14 December 2010. 

Gordon Jenkinson, Principal of Kosciusko First National said, “We are really excited to be the first in the Snowy Mountain area to be selling properties online. Most of our buyers are from outside the region so it makes complete sense to offer this service.”

“The majority of our sales are now coming over the internet as are our enquiries, so online auctions are the perfect extension of our services.”

“In rural areas including our own it is increasingly difficult to get genuine buyers to attend an onsite auction. We end up with a lot of onlookers, but no buyers.”

“In places like the Snowy Mountains there are great distances involved in attending auctions and often unpredictable weather that turns buyers away. By removing the need for unnecessary travel we are hoping to achieve a better result for all involved.”

“The auction will run over four days allowing interested parties to make educated decisions and consult family members or advisors throughout the whole process which is not always possible on the spot at a traditional auction.” 

“This is a great opportunity as property along the Alpine Way rarely comes onto the market and “Jillamatong” is the only rural residential property currently for sale in the Crackenback Valley,” said Mr Jenkinson. 

Director of SOLDONLINE.COM.AU and Licensed Real Estate Auctioneer, David Scholes agrees, “With nearly 80 percent of properties being researched online, it makes sense to have auctions online as well.”

“An online auction is the perfect choice for a property such as this one with interested buyers potentially coming from right across Australia.”

“We have made auctions accessible for a greater range of bidders who can register and bid from wherever they are at their own convenience. This way both buyers and sellers have increased flexibility and can make their decisions from the comfort of their own home in their own time,” said Mr Scholes. 

The property includes a recently renovated four bedroom, two bathroom home with an additional two bedroom, one bathroom flat on a 2.034 hectare block.

It also includes a permanent fresh water bore and 15,000 gallons of storage capacity as well as a stable and several recently recladed out- buildings with huge potential. 

The current LEP allows for the property to be used as a bed and breakfast (with DA approval).

The property can be viewed at http://www.soldonline.com.au/property_details.htm?id=101220 and on site appointments can be arranged by calling Kosciusko First National on 02 6457 2000. 

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SOLDONLINE.COM.AU run simple, secure and stress free online property auctions for residential, commercial and rural properties. Vendors or their Agents can now take advantage of this online system that allows for increased flexibility in the traditional auction system allowing bidders from anywhere in the world to take part, 24/7. The extended bidding period removes the pressure normally associated with traditional auctions.