Bloggers to follow
Posted on | April 12, 2011 | Comments Off
Hey all. I mentioned that there were interesting bloggers out there to follow–here’s a couple that were recommended to me:
Jeremiah Owyang: http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/
Shel Holtz (blog.holtz.com)
Chris Brogan (chrisbrogan.com)
Geoff Livingston (livingstonbuzz.com/blog)
PRSSA Elections (take 2) and Activities
Posted on | April 5, 2011 | Comments Off
CRISIS CENTER TOUR & FREE LUNCH
Friday, April 8, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Meet in CIS Atrium at 11 a.m. to carpool.
When you or someone you know is in crisis, make the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay your first stop for help, hope and healing. Join USF PRSSA as we tour the Crisis Center, and learn about joining the Cause Marketing Team. Interested in non-profit? Grab a free lunch too!
TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
As a leader in PRSSA, employers and professionals will see the difference. You are the leader for tomorrow, and the student they want to hire post-graduation. Build the future of a growing chapter.
FINAL ELECTION MEETING
Thursday, April 7, 7 – 8 p.m.
CIS 1046
Seeking all positions. No experience required.
Answer a few quick questions if interested: http://bit.ly/prssaelections
Caught on Tape: MTV’s Teen Mom Fights
Posted on | April 5, 2011 | 18 Comments
Jenelle Evans, star of MTV’s “Teen Mom 2,” was arrested late last night for assault after TMZ posted her rabid attack on another girl last week.
Oak Island Police tell TMZ Evans was booked into Brunswick County Jail and was released shortly thereafter on bond.
According to Jenelle’s attorney, a warrant was issued for Jenelle’s arrest after police saw the video of Evans fighting with another girl. The other girl in the video, Britany Truett, initially said she wasn’t going to press charges, but changed her mind over the weekend.
Video of the fight: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/caught-tape-teen-mom-fight-13236645
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think that MTV encourages fighting and obscene behavior on the show Teen Mom?
2. How does the actions of the moms affect MTV’s image?
3. What do you think about the number of people standing around
allowing the girls to fight?
4. What does it say about MTV declining abc’s request for them to
comment on the situation?
5. Why would others be so interested in watching a “brawl” and video taping it?
Lowry Park Zoo receives accreditation
Posted on | March 30, 2011 | 22 Comments
Photo taken from ZooCoupon.com
Accreditation was granted to Lowry Park Zoo Monday, March 21, 2011.
After recent review the zoo was found undergoing a $10 million campaign to raise money for the renovations and was in the beginning stages for each suggestion made by the Association of Zoo’s & Aquariums. According to the article, the steps were enough to persuade the AZA to recertify the zoo and give Lowry Park a major seal of approval. This seal is granted to fewer than 10 percent of the 2,400 zoos and animal exhibitors licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
1. Given Lowry Park Zoo’s PR problems in the past (outlined in our assignment), how do you think this will change the zoo’s image toward the public? Will it attract more visitors?
Apple Under Fire For Approving “Gay Cure” App
Posted on | March 22, 2011 | 8 Comments
Your iPhone can cure homosexuality.
At least, that’s what many people are claiming after Apple approved the app “Exodus International.”
The application was created by a ministry of the same name that for over 35 years has provided support for individuals who want to recover from homosexuality.
Critics of the app say that it is deceitful and bigoted, while those in support of it say that its 4-star rating show that is has “no objectionable content.”
Apple took down a similar app earlier this year when a petition of 7,000 signatures requested its removal. There are currently 100,000 signatures on a petition requesting removal of this app.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/18/apple-exodus-international-app_n_837698.html
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/mobile/03/22/gay.cure.app.mashable/index.html
Discussion:
1. Should Apple leave the app up or take it down?
2. Will this hurt Apple’s reputation in any way?
3. What, if anything, does Apple need to do to restore their image?
4. Does Apple need to make any adjustments to their policy so that there isn’t a similar problem in the future?
PRSSA Scholarships, Events, Election
Posted on | March 22, 2011 | Comments Off
Just a reminder that if you’re a PR sequence student, you can apply for one of two PRSA scholarships for $1,000 each. Application deadline is Friday–forms are outside my office door (CIS 3101) or visit this link for info. http://www.infocusdesign.net/prscholarships/
Also, check out these flyers for PRSSA officer elections taking place this Thursday, and a road trip to Nielsen Media on Friday.
Kid Rock’s use of Confederate flag sparks NAACP boycott
Posted on | March 8, 2011 | 4 Comments
The Detroit branch of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) will be holding its annual fundraiser dinner in that city on May 1st. This wouldn’t be news unless they had chosen someone other than Kid Rock as the recipient of their acclaimed Great Expectations Award. Kid Rock routinely wears the confederate flag and features it in many of his concerts.
As a result, some NAACP members are planning to boycott the event in protest.
According to what he said in a 2008 interview, Kid Rock views the confederate flag as a symbol of southern rock ‘n’ roll.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_localdtw/20110304/ts_yblog_localdtw/kid-rocks-use-of-confederate-flag-sparks-naacp-boycott [full article]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AuD7CsSweo [video]
Discussion Questions
1. How will not addressing the boycott affect the NAACP?
2. What, if anything, should the NAACP do in terms of PR to prevent negative consequences from the community?
3. Should Kid Rock agree not to use the confederate flag in his performances to avoid losing respect in Detroit?
4.What is the next step in restoring Kid Rock’s image with the people of Detroit and parts of the black community?
XXXBox?
Posted on | March 2, 2011 | 2 Comments
The Xbox360 Kinect is an innovative video game console that allows users to experience more interactive gaming. The system scans the user’s body, tracks their movements and registers them as the controller. The controller-free gaming system is designed for family fun and has sold more than 2.5 million consoles since November 4th. One game, though, is catching everybody’s attention.
ThriXXX, the maker behind such titles as ‘3D SexVilla2′ and ‘Fetish 3D,’ is developing a role-playing game which allows gamers to simulate sex acts using the console’s advanced technology.
XBox 360's Kinect Gets Risqué
Microsoft told FoxNews.com, “Microsoft did not authorize or license its technology for this use. Xbox is a family friendly gaming and entertainment console and does not allow Adults Only (AO) content to be certified for use on its platform, and would not condone this type of game for Kinect.”
In order to access the game, users must directly connect the gaming system to PCs operating on Windows 7.
“The Kinect interface provides another exciting interface option for users of the sex-simulation software to control the experience in extraordinary new ways,” ThriXXX told cnet.com.
For full article, click here.
Could Your XBox Turn Into A SexBox? [Video]
Discussion Questions |
1. Microsoft describes Xbox as a “family friendly gaming console”– do you believe this development will hurt the console’s image?
2. How should Microsoft approach this issue to prove to the public that they are in no way affiliated with these games?
3. Will the negative press regarding the risqué games effect the sales of the Kinect video game console?
4. Do you think minors will be able to easily access the sex games?
5. If you were doing a PR campaign for this issue, what would be the appropriate public to speak to and what would be the most effective medium to use?
6. How would you react to this news if you were Sony, creator of the Playstation 3 and competitor of Microsoft’s XBox? Nintendo?
2 $1,000 Scholarships from PRSA
Posted on | March 1, 2011 | Comments Off
Application forms are now available for PR students interested in the Griscti and Cassato scholarships awarded annually by the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Students must be taking at least 12 credit hours, enrolled in or have completed at least one PR course, live in the Tampa Bay area and have a GPA of 3.0 or better.
For full details, visit http://www.infocusdesign.net/prscholarships
or pick up an application form from Prof. Hagen’s office, CIS 3101.
Application deadline is March 25, 2010.
Google bets $20,000 Chrome can’t be hacked
Posted on | February 21, 2011 | 6 Comments
The nerds will have their day on March 9. Google is offering $20,000 as a price to the first to hack its “Chrome” browser at the PWN2OWN hacking contest. Google has confidence that Chrome will be able to withstand the attacks since it has been “sandboxed,” a technique that makes hacking the program far more difficult. It’s a technique that Chrome’s competition did not employ.
What’s unique is that this year, the prices and security have been raised. Three times more than the prize total in 2009, this year $125,000 will be awarded in total to the successful hackers. The winnings don’t stop there, however, there will also be a mobile hacking event this year where hackers can try their hands at smart phones.
Already on the forefront of their industry, Google has plenty of recogniztion. The outcome of this stunt will provide Google’s PR team some work upon its completion. Google seems rather certain Chrome can’t be hacked. Is this a bluff to generate public interest, or is this the safest browser yet?
Read the full article here.
Discussion Questions
1) Which audience do you think Google’s participation will appeal more to? The more technologically conscious public or the general public?
2) How could Google get positive press from this? Negative press?
3) Do you think the other browsers beside Chrome, such as Safari, Firefox and IE, could get just as much press as Google?
4) If Chrome is hacked, what should Google do and how should it address the public?