My Great Awakening

"What do you want to do after you graduate?" That's the question I have been faced with and continuously struggled to answer throughout my college career. I have always known that a B.S. in Mass Communication was the right degree for me... However, partaking in a double concentration and thoroughly enjoying both is what left me confused about what I really wanted to do for the rest of my life. After brushing off that dreaded question for four years, something happened to me this summer that finally made me realize what I wanted to be. I had my great awakening!

Throughout college, I have worked at WMGZ 97.7, a Middle Georgia radio station. I started off doing mostly on-site promotions and production but have gradually progressed to become an on-air personality with my own show - Weekends with Tori. Music has always been a passion of mine, so working in the radio business never really seemed like "work" to me. I knew if I chose to pursue a career in radio, I would never be the person who dreaded going to work everyday. I would be poor... But happy!

If I wasn't doing something for broadcasting, that usually meant I was working on something for my other concentration - public relations. Our coursework mostly involved planning events and developing campaigns for local businesses and organizations. I was usually put in charge of promotion for each event - writing and recording PSAs for local radio stations, writing press releases for print, etc. It was hard work, but a successful event plus a happy client made it all worth it in the end. A job in the PR industry seemed like a good career choice as well...

As I mentioned earlier, I have always been very passionate about music. For some reason, however, I had never gone to many concerts, much less a festival. Of course, working in radio has its perks, and one perk I received last summer just so happened to be the ticket that led to my "Great Awakening" - tickets to Bonnaroo Music Festival. Not knowing what I was getting into, I left early Thursday morning confused and came home Monday afternoon determined.

Since Bonnaroo, I have spent most of my measly paychecks from Z97 on tickets to various concerts. The way music moves people inspires me more and more with each show. Since I am not musically inclined, I thought, why not be the person who makes all of this possible ? The person who books the talent, promotes the event, plans the show, and the best part of it all, gets to witness the crowd and the band have the best time of their lives! In the concert planning and promotions field, I would be able to use both of my degrees for a common goal - an amazing show with a sold out crowd.

Now that my undergraduate college career at GCSU is coming to a close, I am proud to say that I can finally answer that dreaded question of what I want to do after college. I am currently searching for an internship in the concert planning and promotion field that will give me valuable experience for my future career goals and aspire to eventually go back to school for a degree in music business. I hope to, one day, plan concerts and/or festivals that will inspire people the same way music has inspired me.

The Ins and Outs of PR

In the very first post in my blogging career, I talked about why I chose to become a public relations professional. I never dreamed of becoming the CEO of some huge PR firm in Atlanta... I wanted to be the first woman to walk on the moon. It was not until I was faced with the big decision of college that I discovered my dreams of becoming an astronaut were unrealistic. Then, my mom did what moms do best and helped me figure out which major best fit me. Socializing, party planning... Public Relations it was!

Since then, my perceptions on a career in PR have changed drastically, but I am still very pleased with my decision. I have enjoyed every class I have taken in the Mass Communication Department at GCSU and have learned a lot from each. Here is a list of the ten most important lessons I have learned throughout my college experience, both professional and "worldly" situations:

1. No matter how crazy and off the wall an idea is, don't be afraid to say it. For example, the candles that I made for our Relay For LIfe Kickoff event. It was something I said on a whim, but they ended up being a hit! I was recently informed that these candles were reused at later events hosted by the Relay For Life Committee.

2. Never wait until the last minute to get something done. Going into college, I had the mentality that I could wait until the night before to look over my notes for a test or finish up a project. I learned quickly, however, in my first year at Georgia College that this was impossible. In order to turn out quality work, you should get started well in advance (PR events take months of preparation).

3. Be an active listener. In the first campaign we were assigned in PR Campaigns, I had a really hard time understanding what our objectives were. I had to ask questions and listen actively to fully grasp the main goal our client wanted to reach. It is equally important to listen actively to all members of a group so that there is no confusion and an event is carried out to full potential.

4. Be on time. If you show up to ANYTHING late, it looks bad and unprofessional. Especially if you're late to a job interview... It is almost a waste of time to go in.

5. There is usually a cheaper option available. Never just call one place for a price. Whether it's for food, decorations, or even promotional items, you should be able to find at least one place that will offer the same product or service for cheaper. In some rare circumstances, you may even be able to get something for free (press releases in a newspaper, PSAs on the radio, etc).

6. No matter what happens, do not let it get you down! Our campaign was changed three different times this semester for one reason or another. Had our group let this get to us, we would have been unable to perform at the level we did for our final campaign. Our ability to remain calm and focused impressed the staff at Digital Bridges.

7. Connections, connections, connections. No matter what career or task you are pursuing, it is so important to have connections. Before college, I was worried about coming to a new town where I wouldn't be kin to or know everyone (Covington is a pretty small town). However, networking through my PR events and several jobs, as well as simply getting involved in my community has left me with a database of people from practically every background. No matter how hard or discouraging a task may seem, I am usually able to ask for and receive help from someone in my network of friends. This makes life much simpler.

8. Don't spend too much time sweatin' the small stuff. Life is too short.

9. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, there is just too much to be done and not enough time. People actually appreciate when you ask them for help (as long as it's not too often)!

10. Lastly, never forget what you stand for. Having a strong set of personal values is essential to be successful in life.

One more semester until I am out into the real world. Georgia College and its wonderful teaching staff have taught me valuable life lessons and shaped me into who I am now. Overall, I made the right decision when I chose to be a mass communication major at Georgia College & State University.

PR Goes Mobile

On my previous birthday, my parents finally gave in and bought me what I had been wanting for two years - an iPhone. Now, I frequently find myself asking the same question: "How in the world did I ever survive without this phone?". On average, I would say that I spend about three hours on my phone each day. In addition to the applications that came with my phone (email, calendar, etc.), I have downloaded several other applications to meet my everyday needs - games, news, navaigation and social media.

According to PR News Online, "Americans now spend an average of 2.7 hours per day on the mobile Internet," and it is time for PR professionals to "begin formulating a mobile PR strategy and... Start on the path toward integration."

Accessing Facebook, Twitter, and other social media on the go has been made easy with smartphones. Facebook and Twitter can now be accessed from anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds through applications they have developed specifically for mobile devices. Several other businesses have already created applications as well, including: CNN, Fox News, and PR agencies like WordHampton Public Relations.


Times are changing folks! PR agencies need to start developing mobile sites for their clients. By doing so, people will be able to access the information more easily than before. This is the way I think about it... I always have my phone on me, but I do not always have my computer on me. In addition, my smartphone can access the internet anywhere without having to purchase an air card or any other wireless accessory (these are very expensive).

Society is becoming more and more fast-paced and on the go. It's important that businesses (including PR) adapt to the environment!

Jersey Shore = Bad PR for MTV

On Thursday, December 3, MTV aired the premiere of a new series called Jersey Shore. Eight Italian-Americans were chosen for the show to live in a house in Seaside Heights, NJ (the "Jersey Shore") for an entire summer. At first, the show's ratings were not as high as MTV's other hit series like The Hills or The City; however, according to the Los Angeles Times, the show's season finale broke records for MTV with 4.8 million viewers ("almost triple the audience who watched the series premiere"). Even though the show brought in millions of viewers throughout the season, fights and other misconduct from the cast have left thousands of others disappointed.


In nearly every episode of the show, at least one of the cast members got into an altercation (both men and women). The third episode raised the most controversy when Nicole "Snooki"Polizzi was punched in the face by a high school gym teacher from Queens, NY. Although it was made clear as to what happened in the scene, MTV decided not to reveal the actual punch because of complaints from viewers. Somehow, however, the footage managed to make national news as well as YouTube. In fact, the YouTube clip has had nearly 3 million views.

Several questions have arose as to whether or not the network should have made what happened apparent in the episode. Although MTV did air a public service announcement following the controversial episode, the network faced financial consequences when Dominos and American Family Insurance refused to continue advertising during the show. Since "Snooki" was punched, several other cast members have found themselves in fights and sometimes, even jail. The show has been referred to as "trash television" as well as "anti-Italian." Several groups have sprung up on Facebook as well against the show. Critics believe that the show depicts Italian-Americans in a negative light, as well as the state of New Jersey. In fact, the New Jersey chapter of PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) is currently working on a strategy to change the perceptions people have developed of their state from this show. MTV's PR team has lashed back to these accusations claiming that "(Their) intention was never to stereotype, discriminate, or offend."

Was airing The Jersey Shore a poor decision for the MTV network? Yes... The show's ratings soared by the end of the season. However, was it worth all of the controversy it has sparked with Italian-American groups and other New Jersey natives? According to the New York Magazine, the cast of the show will return for a season two of Jersey Shore, but it will not take place in the same location. Wherever it is... I hope MTV's PR team is capable of handling it!

My First "Pitching" Experience

Over the course of the semester, my public relations administration class is responsible for planning and putting on the annual Baldwin County Relay For Life Kickoff event. The class was divided up into five groups of three to come up with our own ideas for the event. Every group was responsible for coming up with a catchy slogan, decoration plans, food arrangements (with budget), an invitation, a menu and other arrangements necessary to produce a successful event. Since our slogan had to fit into an overall birthday theme, my group came up with "Pin the Cure on Cancer." We would keep the event casual, like a birthday party you would have as a child. Each person who attended the event would receive a goodie bag containing candy, a birthday hat and noise makers upon their arrival. We also decided to have a magician in the "meet and greet room" where they could enjoy balloons, magic tricks and popcorn as an appetizer. In this room, we would also set up a card making station where attendees could make birthday cards for cancer patients in the local hospital. We created buttons (or pins) that had the slogan on them for team leaders to wear. The menu would also be simple, consisting of the choice of a hamburger or hotdog, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad and chips. Desserts would also serve as decoration and would be provided on each table as a centerpiece (cupcake tier with Relay colored cupcakes). Each cupcake would have a birthday candle in it which would be lit at the end of the ceremony in memory of someone who has suffered with cancer.
Our group was not chosen for the event, but the Relay Committee was very intringued by one of our ideas (which I just so happened to have come up with). I thought since it was a "birthday party," why not celebrate it being Relay For Life's 26th birthday. Therefore, I made a large, three-dimensional birthday candle as an example for the pitch. At the actual event, I wanted to set up 26 along one wall with a banner hanging above it saying something along the lines of "Relay For Life, celebrating 26 years of dedicated service to the American Cancer Society." The committee loved this idea and decided to incorporate the candles into the actual event.
Although our group was not chosen, this experience taught me a lot about the event planning world. First and foremost, event planning is stressful, but it is important to learn how to manage your stress so that your pitch is delivered clearly. I also learned that even if your theme isn't chosen, that does not mean that a committee does not like any of your ideas. In addition to the candles, the committee also kept our food and meet and greet ideas as well. It was a great experience and I look forward to the kickoff in November.

Kanye West-Bad PR?

For the first time, a country singer won "Best Female Video"at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. As Taylor Swift gave her acceptance speech, hip-hop artist Kanye West took the microphone from the seventeen year old star and announced to the audience that "Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time!". As I watched the awards live on television, at first I thought it was all a joke. However, the reaction from the audience and the look on Beyonce's face made me quickly realize that this was no joke! Shocked and embarrassed, Taylor did not finish her speech and walked off the stage. To Kanye's satisfaction, Beyonce did win the VMA for "Video of the Year" and let Taylor come back out and give her acceptance speech in her place.
Within minutes of the incidence, the Internet was flooded with YouTube videos and blogs about Kanye West. Although there were some devout fans who still took up for the artist, most people referred to him as "racist, rude, inconciderate" and several other demeaning words. Even President Obama called him a "jackass" in an off-the-record television interview Monday night.
Will Kanye West become more or less popular after this incidence? Martha Stewart went to jail and came out more popular than she was before! However, in my opinion, this event was an example of awful PR. Although some fans will remain loyal, I believe that he will lose a big proportion of his fans who listen to rap and country (like myself). The majority of onlookers felt bad for Taylor Swift (good PR) and touched by what Beyonce did (good PR). However, like the many bloggers and President said, most people are disappointed in Kanye West's actions. Although he did apologize on The Jay Leno Show, was it enough to change the negative opinions people have formulated? I will find it very interesting to see how this event affects his fan base. Will he sell as many albums when his next album releases? Will his concerts still sell out? Right now, I am sure that his manager is working hard on his PR to improve his image to his fans.

My PR skills (and those I still need to work on)

After reviewing the skills listed on davefleet.com required to be a successful Public Relations professional, I realized that my college training thus far has been a great success! I feel that I possess more on the list than I lack, which made me a little more comfortable about graduating in a couple short semesters! These are the qualities that I feel I have in my back pocket:
1. Writing skills- Teachers in grade school as well as professors in college have complemented my writing style. I feel
pretty comfortable with my writing skills.
2. Communication skills- Like I've said before, I can pretty much talk to anyone!
3. Attention to detail- I find myself proofreading my papers and doing more research than is necessary.
4. Media Relations- I have updated and created media lists for several businesses now. I know what to ask when I
call.
5. Proactiveness- I hate not knowing the answer, and I will do whatever it takes to find out!
6. Work ethic- I do not mind putting in a little extra effort to ensure that things are done right.
7. Blogging- I am starting to get the hang of blogging and actually enjoy it!
8. Social networking tools- I check my Facebook at least four times a day... enough said!
The way I look at it, that's more than half! The remaining six topics I am familiar with, but can not say that I am comfortable with them yet. For example, microblogging (Twitter). As I try to figure it out, I get extremely frustrated, but I am hanging in there and am feeling a little more comfortable with it each day. I do have an open mind and look forward to learning more about each remaining topic (I was a little skeptical about blogging at first, but now I love it).

Tori Cantrell

Why Public Relations?

Throughout my life, my parents have always said that I "saw the world through rose colored glasses."  According to them, I never met a stranger and could "talk to anyone until they were blue in the face."  Growing up, I never thought anything about not being a shy person- it was just one more thing that made my sister and I polar opposites!  I loved talking to people and learning how everyone was unique in their own way.  I always found a way to relate to people and that's what I enjoyed doing!  

During my talkative childhood, I never imagined that my blabber mouth would help me decide on a career path.  Going into college, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I "grew up."  I knew that whichever major I chose had to be a Liberal Arts major, because I had recently been awarded the Vera Lucille Vincent Scholarship at Georgia College & State University (a Liberal Arts scholarship for people with good academics and community service hours).  As my mom and I looked through the different majors, my mom immediately noticed the words 'Public Relations.'  "This is it!  This major has your name written all over it," Mom said.  However I had no clue what Public Relations was.  She explained to me that it would be a job where I talked to people a lot, did not sit behind a desk all day and would get to write often.  All of those things I enjoyed, so Public Relations it was!

I guess that you could say that my mom "chose my major for me," but I wouldn't call it that.  She simply pointed me in the right direction.  So far I think that she did a great job helping me choose my major, because I have actually enjoyed running around like a chicken with my head cut off constantly. I enjoy being busy and am looking forward to learning more about Public Relations in the years to come!      

Until Next Time, Tori Cantrell