The Age of Online Technology

The Age of Online Technology

Being almost halfway through the year 2009, we can only anticipate that with so many technologic advancements, our society will soon be completely dependent on the internet. Many could argue that its websites and “open information,” truly dictate many people’s actions. In specific, over the decades we have seen how public relations have changed. Anywhere from hand delivered telegrams, snail mail or even press releases at one point were effective ways of communicating.
Currently, Americans are seeing the online side of public relations. Using the internet to communicate to large groups of people comes with its positives and negatives. First, the internet can be useful when trying to communicate your key message (s). For example, companies are able to cater their website to what they believe people want to see. Still, with the internet’s massiveness, it is near impossible to communicate ones key messages to just one target audience. In other words, anyone with access to the internet can see whatever they want.
A good way to understand the current status of public relations in America with regards to technological advances is by looking at what happened in 2008. Wired.com ranked the top 10 technology advances of 2008 and they are listed below:

10. Flexible Displays

9. Edible Chips

8. Speedo LZR

7. Flash Memory

6. GPS

5. The Memristor

4. Video-Capable SLR’s

3. USB 3.0

2. The Android

1. Apple’s App Store

http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/news/2008/12/YE8_techbreaks?currentPage=

Although many of these do not directly relate to the point I am trying to make, I want focus on numbers five, three and one. The memristor is a technological breakthrough that could “change how we compute.” This discovery makes it possible for computer systems to remember what is stored in its memory even after it has been turned off. Essentially this seems as if all computers will begin to know everything thus making information even easier to access.
Next, we have the USB 3.0. The USB 3.0 will be 10 times faster and has been eight years in the making. This will help us store and share more information.
Finally, the number one technology advance of 2008 is the Apple’s App store. This is interesting because with the newly released iphone, 2008 seemed to be the year of Apple. Its access to the internet and its applications really has dictated the way public relations and its practices are delivered and interpreted. We no longer have to open a newspaper or turn on the news to get the information that we need. Although it is unfortunate that we don’t depend on the things that really “shaped” communication and public relations it is important that, as a society, we adapt to change. In 2009, this means that we must accept and understand online public relations.

Underdogs

One of the first times I can remember using the Internet was back during the 1990's when AOL dial up service was "the thing" to have. Although we had fun surfing the web or chatting with friends, I can honestly say that I had no grasp of how enormous the web would eventually become. In specific, the website YouTube has become a popular phenomenon. With almost 100 million videos added each day, the website serves as a media outlet in some instances. In fact, just last week a video was added that is rumored to have had 100 million views. Entitled: Susan Boyle - Singer - Britain's Got Talent 2009, the video follows the audition of 47-year old, Susan Boyle on the popular television show Britain's Got Talent. Boyle, a middle-aged, overweight and just "plain" looking woman wows the judges and crowd with her singing talent during her rendition of I dreamed a dream, Les Miserables. Before her song, the audience and judges seemed to express their skepticism over Boyle. Unfortunately, this is more than likely based on her unpolished appearance and awkwardness. In fact, judging one based on their appearance is something that still exists even amongst the Internet.
Susan Boyle was born in Blackburn, West Lothian. She was briefly deprived of oxygen during her birth, causing mild brain damage leading to her diagnosis of having learning disabilities. Regardless, she grew up in a middle-class home and enjoyed singing for her church parish. Her mother, who in 2007 died at age 91, always urged Boyle to enter Britain's Got Talent. Until now, Boyle refused on the basis that she would be judged on her appearance.
This never-been-kissed, unemployed 47-year old, with a 10-year old cat named Pebbles is now becoming one of the most watched women on YouTube. Articles about her have appeared in newspapers all over the world and televisions have aired her story. More importantly, Simon Cowell (a judge on Britain's Got Talent) has reportedly set up a record contract with Boyle on his Syco Music company label. In the end, I think it is fair to say that Susan Boyle not only stunned everyone with her voice but has also shown us that even the "underdogs" can have big talents.


please follow the link below to watch Susan Boyles' audition on Britain's Got Talent:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Public Speaking

Being able to speak in front of a group of people, regardless of size, is a priceless skill to have. For one that works in Public Relations, it’s almost imperative to have some public speaking skills. In fact, communication with the masses, an important aspect of PR, can be achieved through effective public speaking.
Unfortunately, public speaking is not an ability that comes naturally for many people. Thankfully, with several weeks of formal training, one can truly learn the ropes. There are several public speaking education tips/recommendations to follow:

1) Know your stuff- when speaking in front of a group of people, pick material that you want to talk about. This will help you stay interested and will prevent you from forgetting your speech.

2) Practice- your speech isn't going to all of a sudden appear the day of your presentation. You need to be well versed on your topic so you sound like you know what you are talking about.

3) Know who you are speaking to- if you go into a speech prepared to speak to a completely different group of people; you are more likely to choke. Understanding your audience will help you get your message (s) out.

4) Relax- although you might be nervous, don’t show it on the outside. People will pick up on your nervousness so use the correct body gestures and eye contact.

5) Have fun- You might have the worst, most boring speech topic but if you act interested then your speech will sound way better. If you are having fun giving your speech, then your audience is more than likely to be enjoying what you are saying.

These five tips above are very important in finding success with public speaking. If you are able to master public speaking then that is another important skill important in effective Public Relations!

Public Relations Abroad

During the spring semester of 2008, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For nearly five months, I was completely immersed in a culture of people and customs I knew nothing about. March 4th, 2008, marked the beginning of my semester and start of formal classes. My first class was titled: Relaciones Publicas 2 or Public Relations 2. This upper level PR communication course would soon prove to be my outlet to a further understanding of Argentina PR.
Being a once a week, 3-hour course, mass amounts of reading each week were inevitable. Anywhere from 50 to 100 pages of (Spanish) text and articles really opened my eyes to Public Relations in this country. We began by studying the methods and techniques of Edward Bernays as well as other Public Relations experts. Things like communication to the masses, internal/external communication, communication in organizations were all topics discussed. Although theory is a very important aspect to Public Relations, my favorite part of the class came during the last hour of class when our professor allowed us open discussion.
Before continuing, it is important to understand that I was the sole international student in this night class with only four other Argentine students and a professor. This meant that I had to be attentive and quick on my feet. All semester long, my Spanish language skills would be challenged.
Like stated earlier, I really loved when we were given free time to discuss whatever we wanted. More than often all the topics related to public relations or some aspect of communication. For example, Argentine students often discussed politics and their countries current economic status. They complained about how Cristina Kirchner, Argentina's current president, always promised things but didn't act upon them. They also felt that Kirchner was sending the country untruthful messages with regards to the economy, job market, and spending budgets. They also spoke of other ways they felt Buenos Aires businesses and organizations did not exhibit effective Public Relations. This was interesting to me because I realized that in the United States were similar problems. In fact, almost every class, the students would ask for the "Yankee’s" (Spanish slang for an American), point of view. We would compare and contrast different aspects of American and Argentine Public Relations through various examples.
When I left Argentina in July of 2008, I really felt that my Relaciones Publicas 2 class prepared me for classes to come in the United States. Not only did it set a baseboard of theory and common knowledge, it encouraged me to think outside of the box. Most important, I was able to learn about the Argentine PR. I will always be thankful for my experience abroad and although class was tough, I learned a lot about Public Relations.