The Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Public Relations Management department is to host its tenth annual Media Conference on Saturday, October 18, 2008 on its Cape Town campus starting at 08:30 am.
The focus for the conference this year is “TECHNOLOGY”, as technology has made a dramatic impact on our lives from the moment we wake up to the sound of the digital alarm clock, lifting our heads from our hi-tech allergy-free air-soft pillows to the way we do business.
Cost for attending the media conference is only R20, 00 and includes a delicious brunch and goodie bag. Tickets can be purchased at the door or delegates can reserve their tickets by contacting Rifqah Abrahams on 021 460 8348 or at AbrahamsRi@cput.ac.za
September 29, 2008
September 28, 2008
Working in London
By Andrea Desfarges, PR graduate
London might seem like the ideal way to gain experience, travel and make money simultaneously – and it can be – but there are some things you should know that they don’t tell you in the brochure.
London is laden with immigrants; Polish, Turkish, Brazilians, Algerians, Australians, you name it. So it makes sense that visas, bank accounts and skilled work is harder to come by as a foreigner since, right or wrong, preference is given to British born residents. The credit crunch has magnified this problem as there are fewer companies hiring.
Make sure that your paper work is sorted out beforehand, register with top pr and marketing recruitment agencies and try and set up interviews telephonically before you fly out. Be flexible with the type of role that you want, but make it clear that although you’re prepared to learn and work hard, with a qualification and some work experience you should be earning more than a basic wage. Which, by the way, is £5.70 per hour or approx £16 000 per annum for a professional pr job. It might sound like a lot but when you’re earning pounds, you’re spending pounds.
I waitressed for a few months until I was finally offered the type of role that I was hoping for and many South Africans end up doing that permanently or working in a call centre. But with nearly 1 500 PR agencies based in and around London there is no reason that you shouldn’t find a job in PR if you persevere.
It’s not all doom and gloom. The standard of work is very high, the client lists are fantastic and the media industry is one of the largest in the world. Once you’ve worked in the UK it is accepted that you can work in any country, while unfortunately South African references mean nothing.
And once you do start earning an average wage, a comfortable standard of living is more affordable(Electronics, clothing, food, cars.
One of the main differences between working in the UK from working in SA has to be timing. Things generally work at a faster pace here. And we’re not talking CT – JHB different pace, we’re talking about all emails actioned ASAP and deadlines reached long before the due date. If asked, one needs to be able to organise an interview with a journalist within an hour, or solve problems on the spot.
Pro’s to working in the UK:
The late Summer sunsets at 22h00 and good music festivals
A Saffa (South African) bar or shop is never far away, so you won’t miss your biltong
The ease of travelling around Europe that is cheap and quick
Large Saffa community and exploring a new pub scene
Pubic transport
Not having to worry about installing burglar bars or constantly getting your bag snatched
Con’s to working in the UK:
Say good bye to the heat of the sun and purchase a raincoat
You often have to share housing as rent is so expensive
Starting right at the bottom with low wages and long hours
You will always be treated as a foreigner
About Andrea Desfarges:
Andrea completed her Diploma in 2003 and in 2004 spread her wings to the small island of the UK, managing to land a position in the PR department of KPMG London. In 2005 Andrea started her own small business, Red Box PR, which specialises in media campaigns, experiential marketing and brand management. In 2008 she was nominated as one of the top consultants in the UK by the PR Week Awards.
London might seem like the ideal way to gain experience, travel and make money simultaneously – and it can be – but there are some things you should know that they don’t tell you in the brochure.
London is laden with immigrants; Polish, Turkish, Brazilians, Algerians, Australians, you name it. So it makes sense that visas, bank accounts and skilled work is harder to come by as a foreigner since, right or wrong, preference is given to British born residents. The credit crunch has magnified this problem as there are fewer companies hiring.
Make sure that your paper work is sorted out beforehand, register with top pr and marketing recruitment agencies and try and set up interviews telephonically before you fly out. Be flexible with the type of role that you want, but make it clear that although you’re prepared to learn and work hard, with a qualification and some work experience you should be earning more than a basic wage. Which, by the way, is £5.70 per hour or approx £16 000 per annum for a professional pr job. It might sound like a lot but when you’re earning pounds, you’re spending pounds.
I waitressed for a few months until I was finally offered the type of role that I was hoping for and many South Africans end up doing that permanently or working in a call centre. But with nearly 1 500 PR agencies based in and around London there is no reason that you shouldn’t find a job in PR if you persevere.
It’s not all doom and gloom. The standard of work is very high, the client lists are fantastic and the media industry is one of the largest in the world. Once you’ve worked in the UK it is accepted that you can work in any country, while unfortunately South African references mean nothing.
And once you do start earning an average wage, a comfortable standard of living is more affordable(Electronics, clothing, food, cars.
One of the main differences between working in the UK from working in SA has to be timing. Things generally work at a faster pace here. And we’re not talking CT – JHB different pace, we’re talking about all emails actioned ASAP and deadlines reached long before the due date. If asked, one needs to be able to organise an interview with a journalist within an hour, or solve problems on the spot.
Pro’s to working in the UK:
Con’s to working in the UK:
About Andrea Desfarges:
Andrea completed her Diploma in 2003 and in 2004 spread her wings to the small island of the UK, managing to land a position in the PR department of KPMG London. In 2005 Andrea started her own small business, Red Box PR, which specialises in media campaigns, experiential marketing and brand management. In 2008 she was nominated as one of the top consultants in the UK by the PR Week Awards.
September 3, 2008
Public Relations Management Master’s Student to present her dissertation at the EUPRERA Congress in Italy
By Monique Boucher, B Tech PR student
Lynne Niemann, Public Relations Management Master's student, has been selected to present her dissertation at the main conference of EUPRERA (European Public Relations Education and Research Association). She is in line for the Jos Willems Award for the best dissertation in Europe.
“The paper was accepted as one of the 25 out of 126 submitted papers of PR professors from around the globe,” said Benita Steyn, Niemann's research supervisor. “It is unheard of for the research of a Master's student to be presented at such a major conference for top academics,"
Unheard of until now that is! "It was one of those 'pinch myself' moments!" said Niemann on hearing the news that her research paper had been selected. "I phoned my husband immediately to tell him the news and then I phoned my dad."
"Lynne's achievement is a big feather in our department's cap. Benita and Lynne have done the Master's programme proud. Naturally I am very pleased," said Prof Johann van der Merwe, Head of the Public Relations Management department at CPUT. "We are now awaiting the outcome of the Jos Willems Award!!"
The Euprera Conference, to be held in Milan, Italy from 16-18 October 2008, attracts delegates and presenters from all over the world and submissions follow a strict selection process refereed by two or three world PR experts on the topic.
Niemann's research paper is titled 'Institutionalising the Strategic Role of Communications/ Public Relations through its contribution to Enterprise Strategy and Enterprise Governance', in line with the theme of the Euprera Congress which is "Institutionalising Public Relations and Corporate Communications."
At the Euprera Conference, a special prize will be awarded to the top paper addressing the personal influence model of public relations, described as 'the predominant use of relationships with strategic individuals to achieve public relations objectives as the major factor in a professional's contribution to the organization.' (Institute of Public Relations.2008).
"Lynne's achievement is just another example of how far the students attending this programme have gone. We wish her all the best!” said Dr. Nirvana Bechan, M Tech Programme Co-ordinator and Communication Science lecturer at CPUT.
Niemann currently works as a Communication Strategist at Boomtown, a strategic brand agency in Port Elizabeth and says that what excites her about Public Relations in the 21st century is that the profession is slowly but surely being recognised as more than just event coordination.
"It is becoming a respected professional profession with a solid strategic foundation. The industry is growing and so are the opportunities."
She dreams of one day writing a book. "I haven't decided whether it will be an academic book or a non-fictional book but it's a dream nonetheless." She would also love to start her own business. "I am going to be a mommy by March next year so I would love to be able to work from home."
Still in a state of disbelief, most likely only lift once she has stepped on to the plane, Niemann has planned a 'shoes and handbag' shopping spree in the fashion capital.
It seems that 2008 has already been an outstanding year for her and it can only get better for a woman that takes the PR world in her stride!
Sources:
Institute of Public Relations. 2008. Institute Special Award at EUPRERA World Congress. instituteforpr.org (Online) Available: http://www.instituteforpr.org/awards/euprera_world_congress/
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