Archive for the ‘programmes’ Category
The Evaluation Cycle (With Thanks to the Public Relations Consultants Association)
The full five-stage process of planning, research and evaluation works as a virtuous circle through which the end results are fed back into stage one of the planning process for the next campaign:
Audit: where are we now?
Gather information and conduct research to build a foundation for the PR campaign or programme:
- Public relations brief
- Public perception
- Media profile
- SWOT analysis
- Issues and problems
- Which messages are working and which are being rejected
- how advertising and public relations are working together
- how perceptions about you compare with competitors
Setting objectives: where do we need to be?
Align publicity objectives with the goals and objectives of the organisation. Public relations objectives should not exist in a vacuum:
- Objectives should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant
- and timely
- Audience identification and targeting
- Message development
- Desired responses
- Pre-testing
- Co-ordinated advertising and public relations messages
Strategy and plan – how do we get there?
Which type of research should we use?
- Media evaluation to analyse media coverage (outputs)
- more detailed research to see if audience has understood the message
- (out-takes)
- Research into the message has had an effect on behaviour opinions
- (outcomes)
- Qualitative research e.g. focus groups
- Quantitative research: numbers
Ongoing measurement – are we getting there?
Steering, adjusting and improving the PR programme
- how are we doing – what have we learnt from measurement?
- Comparing research results with objectives
- What should we carry on or stop doing?
- What are the reasons behind unexpected results?
- Are the effects attributable to public relations or any other
- communications activity?
Results and evaluation – how did we do?
Quantifying the outcome
- Were the objectives met?
- Return on public relations investment?
- What can be fed back into the process for next time?
- What can inform future business decisions?
- Invest in public relations evaluation. You should be spending 7-10 % of the public relations budget on planning, research and evaluation. the cost of evaluation should be included as part of the total budget and not split out. the type, level and cost of bought-in research should reflect the total budget and be proportionate to the objectives set at the outset and the desired results.
- Use planning, research and evaluation before, during and after every campaign, depending on the level of measurement required and afforded. End of campaign results evaluation is meaningful against pre-set benchmarks. Measure whenever it will provide information that will be valuable to improving the quality of the programme.
- Carry out thorough audits and research to identify potential areas for exploitation, and issues which need careful handling.
- Understand your audiences and media. Research at the start of a campaign will give a clear indication of who needs to be targeted and how best to reach them.
- Test your messages. sensible testing with a select group of the target audiences will provide invaluable information and enable messages to be tailored and targeted successfully.
- do not use Advertising value Equivalents (AVEs). they are weak and imply public relations is a substitute for advertising, when the two disciplines have different roles. AVEs take no account of positive or negative coverage, or the value (or damage) of editorial endorsement (or criticism). High quality editorial endorsement cannot be bought, so to put a value on it by using equivalent advertising space costs is misleading.
- Define what worked and what didn’t. like any other activity you should make sure that mistakes are not repeated, and you know what worked best.
- Improve the next campaign. Feed what you learn about the most successful
- tactics, the audiences that responded best, and the most appropriate timings and
- media into planning for the next campaign.
DM announces Clean Up the World campaign 2011
DUBAI – The Waste Management Department of Dubai Municipality has yesterday announced the launch of Clean up the World campaign 2011, which will be organized starting from 23 to 28 October under the slogan
Ofcom issues TV watershed warning
30 September 2011 Last updated at 07:30 ET Share this page a gang attack in EastEnders was found in breach of Ofcom's code in 2008
Ofcom has reminded broadcasters of their duty not to broadcast material unsuitable for children before the 21:00 watershed.
The media watchdog's warning follows several breaches of its code, many of which included explicit music videos.
It has issued a 12-page document to illustrate the problems and help broadcasters police adult content.
However, Ofcom noted that parents had fewer concerns about the programmes their children watch than in the past.
It said that 36% of parents had expressed concerns about their children's viewing habits in 2009, but that figure had now dropped to 31%.
In addition, 77% of parents thought the watershed fell at the right time, and 73% believed the amount of regulation of television was "about right".
According to Ofcom's research, the types of pre-watershed programmes that caused most concern to the parents surveyed were soaps (14%) and film (14%), followed by reality programmes (12%) and music videos (11%).
Caution advised
Ofcom's guidance reminded soap opera producers to be mindful of their pre-watershed audience, particularly with regard to violence.
This followed several complaints investigated by the watchdog – including a graphic fight between the King Brothers on Emmerdale and a gang attack on EastEnders, which resulted in Honey Mitchell going into premature labour.
Ofcom ruled that 50 Cent's music videos contained "highly sexualised images" and "offensive language"
"While soaps are not aimed at young people, they are scheduled pre-watershed and often attract a significant child audience," Ofcom noted.
"Broadcasters should therefore ensure that material that may be unsuitable for children is appropriately scheduled."
It also warned TV stations to be wary of repeating soaps and other shows in the daytime without considering edits to remove offensive material.
The advice on music videos followed a number of recent cases where pop promos contained unsuitable material.
Greatest Hits TV was put on notice by Ofcom earlier this week after broadcasting a compilation of sexually explicit videos by rap star 50 Cent at 09:00.
The video for S&M by Rihanna, which contains scenes of bondage,, was also ruled unacceptable after it was screened on WTF TV during the day.
"Ofcom understands that music videos will rarely contain sexually explicit images," the watchdog noted in its guidance.
"however, the cumulative effect of certain images… can result in material of a sexualised nature in music videos which is unsuitable for child viewers and could case offence."
Broadcasters were also reminded that trailers for late night programmes should avoid potentially offensive images or wording if they were to be shown before the watershed.
The new guidance was issued as a supplement to Ofcom's pre-existing rules on protecting the under-18s.
Summer in Beautiful Lapland
Yllas Lapland runs programmes of events in both the summer and winter seasons and there is plenty to keep you busy on a week’s holiday. There are lots of activities included in the weekly programme and there is something for everyone. There are various fishing trips going on with the chance to catch pike and perch. There is also a very special trip where you will be given lessons on how to catch wild salmon; you will be taught all the secrets of catching the king of all fishes. If the water levels are high enough, there is the chance to go on a fabulous river ferry cruise where you will get the chance to travel up the Tornio Muoniojoki river, this particular river is the border river of Finland and Sweden and there will be the opportunity to visit the Swedish side of the river. You could also try a spot of canoeing on the lakes and rivers which is great fun for all of the family. Canadian canoes will set off from the shores of the lake Yllasjarvi towards the beautiful Vahajoki River. You will eventually stop off at a peaceful island where you will sit by an open fire and eat doughnuts and drink coffee.
Another great activity is the biking; children and adults will absolutely love this. You will travel to the top of Yllas using the gondola lift, once at the top, you will travel down by bike and the duration of the trip is about two hours and is absolutely exhilarating. There are lots of other activities going on such as pool gymnastics for the adults and the gym in Akaslompolo is open to everyone and free of charge. There is also golf and the fantastic Icelandic horse riding. You will be familiarised with the Icelandic horses before setting off and then will go on a trek through the forests and take in the breathtaking scenery. There are various trips on offer depending on your experience of riding. the summer programmes usually start about June 1st and run until the end of September and it is nearly always possible to book some additional activities once you arrive in Lapland. Most of the activities are flexible and only require one days notice. Yllas Lapland has a lot to offer in the summer months and isn’t just a super winter destination but a wonderful summer destination too.
Study Banking – Apply the Principles of Financial Management to the Sector
Being able to operate in the increasingly competitive world of financial markets is a very impressive string to your bow. Certainly employers in this employment sector demand a level of graduates who are capable of analysing and solving complex issues in banking and finance. This can only be achieved by choosing to study banking and learning the principles of financial management.
An undergraduate banking degree gives students a sound academic and practical knowledge and understanding of the markets along with a focused awareness of commercial issues. Entry requirements for such a course vary depending on the reputation of the teaching institution. London’s business schools generally set higher entry requirements due to its connections with the City of London and the influential business and financial district.
Nevertheless, to stand the best chance of pursuing a banking career, students should push hard to gain entrance into London business schools as they are directly aligned with business and financial career aspirations.
Generally London business schools proved a limited number of scholarships for new intake, awarded on the basis of academic merit. This can be a significant financial help towards tuition fees leaving you with more money to spend on living costs.
In terms of networking and building strong working relationships many business institutions run a society that provides students with an opportunity to develop their skills, confidence and knowledge through activities including social events and guest speakers.
Students who study banking will experience a course that is incredibly diverse, with undergraduates hailing from all four corners of the globe. This is extremely useful for future careers as it helps scholars to identify with others and to put aside cultural differences to work together.
NMIT First South Island Host for Teaching Conference
Thursday, 6 October 2011, 9:47 am Press Release: NMIT
6 October 2011News Release
NMIT First South Island Host forthe National Tertiary Learning andTeaching Conference
Morethan 150 tertiary educators from all over new Zealand willconverge at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology(NMIT) for the National Tertiary Learning and TeachingConference (NTLTC) from October 12 -14.
This is the first year thisannual event has been held in the South Island and at NMIT.The Conference has attracted the interest of tertiaryeducators throughout new Zealand. The Programme offers 50presentations including those by NMIT staff andstudents.
NMIT Learner Journey Manager, CaroleCrawford, says the Conference will be an inspiring andintense few days where top educators will be sharing ideasaround the theme of “building futures.”
“We havekeynote speakers who are internationally renowned with areally stimulating programme. The 2011 theme was developedin the context of the significant change happeningthroughout the tertiary education sector.
With allthis change, we thought it was important for educators tore-focus on the basics of student-centred learning andteaching.”
Ako Aotearoa is the gold sponsor of theNational Tertiary Learning & Teaching Conference, NelsonSchool of Music is a silver sponsor, and NMIT is thisyear’s host. Carole Crawford says the conference is achance to showcase NMIT and the Nelson area.
“Notonly are we proud of what we’re doing at NMIT but it’salso a chance to show off the region and celebrate what wehave here. there was a really positive response fromdelegates when we announced that NMIT would be hosting theConference.”
The Conference sessions are being heldon the NMIT Campus as well as at the Nelson School ofMusic.
The Keynote Speakers include:
Professor David Boud who is Professor of AdultEducation in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at theUniversity of Technology Sydney. In the area of assessment,he has been a pioneer in developing learning-centredapproaches to assessment particularly in studentself-assessment.
Linda Hutchings is one of NewZealand’s leading adult educators. Primarily working inhealth, education and local government she works withemerging and existing leaders to develop the vision, passionand skills needed to lead both for today and fortomorrow!
Dr Mark Brown is the Director ofTeaching, Learning and Distance Education at MasseyUniversity. Associate Professor Brown has specificresponsibility for policy and strategic direction in theareas of blended and distance education, includinginternational offshore delivery. In recent years, Mark hasplayed a key role in the development and implementation of amajor digital learning and curriculum renewal initiative atMassey University.
Dr Sue Walbran is theInterim Director of Operations of Ako Aotearoa. She is aneducationalist with over 25 years experience in the tertiaryeducation sector and has specialist expertise in evaluationand qualityassurance.
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