Who are
you and where do you come from?
My names Jack Walton, I’m 19 years of age and from a town
called Stourbridge. I was actually born in Birmingham but raised in the Black
Country.
How is university life treating you?
Wow, where do I start?! I remember visiting this University
for my interview just hoping so much I’d get the grades I needed in my final
year of College to get onto the media and communication course. This Uni was
also my first choice on my application, it worked out so well. I’ve met some
amazing people and have become involved with things I previously wouldn’t have
considered doing. The new modules have been really interesting. PR was
something that I’ve previously had no experience in, but was interested to
start my module at the start of this semester. Doing PR this semester has made
me realise just how much I enjoy it, I can’t wait to study it further
throughout year 2.
Tell us about your studies to date
I’ve actually been on quite a long journey to get here. I
previously studied music at College for 3 years, it was such a fun experience. I was a singer and loved performing at different gigs and learning about the
music industries. When applying for University I saw the music industries
option on the media course and knew it was something I wanted to do. Since then
I’ve discovered PR along with event & exhibitions and have fallen in love
with both of them. I remember one of the lecturers saying at my interview that
if I leave doing something I wasn’t interested in doing to begin with, then
they’ve done something right.
What areas of the media interest you most and why?
After completing the studying the media option in semester 1
I’ve learnt lots about all the different sides to the media industry, I really
think there’s something for everyone. Reality TV interests me, how stars are
created and how PR plays a role in this. After previously being a music event
planner events really interest me too, along with marketing and PR.
Consumption, representations in media and radio and popular music are other
avenues I’m exploring through my various modules.
What have you enjoyed most about your studies?
Since starting in September I’ve had lots of highlights; designing a website from scratch in new media platforms, organising a music gig
for music industries and then creating a PR campaign for WKD in media
relations. I’m currently working on a documentary exploring the LGBT community
within Birmingham, this is part of our Professional Media Practice module where we have to work in a
group on a multimedia festival taking place in May. I can’t wait to see what
new and fun experience I have during the rest of this semester and then into
year 2.
What does PR and media relations mean to you?
PR and media
relations to me means a multitude of things. I think of the scene on Absolutely
Fabulous, PR people meeting with journalists in champagne bars. I also think of
failing brands being turned around and the public’s perception of them
changing. It means promotion, producing stories and basically “creating” news.
This could be for a well-known brand such as Coca Cola or a reality TV star
launching a new product. Media relations to me also means journalists,
contacting them with ideas and being that link between yourself, the journalist
and then the client, be that an individual or brand.
How do you plan on progressing with your studies /
experience?
At the start of June, I’m visiting a creative marketing and
PR agency to undertake a work placement. This is something I’m really looking
forward to and I know it will benefit me visiting a professional establish and
getting some professional experience. I’ve also started networking much more
since starting at university, it made me realise it’s never too early to start
making contacts with potential employers and companies.
I’ve got my own website
which will be launching soon which will host my experience and then examples of
my work in a portfolio. Studies wise I’ll be carrying on media relations and
other different modules throughout year 2.
Which brands do you admire for their approach to press,
promotion, social media etc.?
One brand would be Coca Cola, they really seem to have their
act together when it comes to the whole PR package! They have good quality
social media platforms, brand adverts on TV and are constantly featured in
worldwide press. Another reason they do so well is due to the fact they hire
well known faces to represent them, Taylor Swift and Holly Willoughby are just
two examples of celebrities who have worked on behalf of Coca Cola.
Another brand I’m a
huge fan of for their approach to press would be Nike. There probably one of
the most well-known sportswear brands in the world, countless celebrities are
photographed wearing their gym clothing and shoes, this has just added to the
increase in popularity for the brand. They currently have 70 million followers
on Instagram and are constantly releasing new adverts and campaigns. A recent
example of this would be an equality campaign which promotes fairness and
respect not just in sport but in everyday life. “Just Do It” is probably one of
the most said slogans, you just won’t forget it.
Favourite campaign to date?
This is such a hard question to answer, there’s been so many
amazing campaigns over the years. The Krispy Kreme Nutella campaign where the
brand released the newly anticipated flavour was a really effective one, on
social media in particular Krispy Kreme got huge attention by teasing the
releasing in the weeks prior. That’s just one recent campaign which initially
comes to mind, there’s so many others.
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