Laura Tulley

gojette:

so pretty!

In true, fresh-out-of-grad school form, I recently met with a senior partner of a large Canadian organization for an information interview. Although trendy and the latest must-do, I found this meet & greet to be very useful (and reassuring). Having just finished my last semester of grad school, I was faced with that inevitable and gut-wrenching question, was it all worth it?

The shockingly high tuition, frown-lines and gray hairs that are sure to pop up sooner than I’d like, and of course the theory that is seemingly useless among true pragmatic communication practice (department of redundancy department…)

Will I reach a point in my professional life, where this will all come together? Did I take on this academic hurdle too early? Where would I be if I had stopped two years ago?

You can imagine my relief (and immediately un-furrowed brow), when this intelligent and professionally successful gentleman gave me his thoughts on the matter - and his thoughts were simple. One can never have too much education. At the time, I agreed whole-heartedly, I still do to a degree (pun fully intended), but have recently come across some interesting opinions that shed light of a slightly different perspective.

http://bit.ly/n4c32i

http://bit.ly/pAh3qQ

Banerjee & Pettigrew are presenting extremes (with respect for consideration either way) - “you could be making $62k” versus, “sure why not go to grad school”?

I’ll get back to you in 5-10 years if I change my mind, but as of right now, I think my (flippant at the time) decision to go, was a good idea. Although I’m sure some of my @RyersonMPC classmates would wish to weigh-in differently. 

• Me: Would you consider yourself a commitaphobe?
• Friend: No, I think I'm more of a serial monogamist with "the grass is always greener" syndrome...

Design obsessed

Presenting…. Juliette!

After months of preparation, 10 late nights, one all-nighter and 12 hours of sleep to nurse myself back to health, I can sit down and reflect on the best part of my job, Festival season. Doing PR for the TD Toronto Jazz Festival can be an exhausting job, but the payoff is 10 days of nonstop action, a whole lotta’ stress and even more fun. 

What’s the saying my colleague always uses? Nothing ever goes according to plan? That sums up Festival PR nicely…schedules always run offtrack, minds are changed on a dime, someone usually has a crisis and there never seem to be enough bodies. Not to mention those angry tour managers that take out their misery on the PR ladies that just happen to be standing backstage with their staff passes showing. I will say that we don’t have to deal with unhappy patrons and complaints directed at our front of house guy, a job I’m happy to avoid…

Even after all that, the memories are great…and I don’t just mean sitting in the famous green leather TD chair (shhh don’t tell anyone). How can anyone complain about being part of something that brings together all kinds of people, hosting all kinds of artists in all kinds of venues across Toronto. I was able to get backstage at some of the city’s coolest music venues and be in the presences of some of the biggest stars. Celebrities aside, the best part of the job is the people I work with, particularly the amazing PR girls. 10 hard days were offset with time spent laughing in the media trailer, making trips to Front St. for poutine, grabbing a cocktail & a free show on the lawn, late nights with our favourite coworkers and of course, access & a great view of Festival performers. My second year through, and non of it seemed old or stale.

A huge thanks to everyone that made my Festival season a goodie - and all those cranks that caused us stress at some point or another, I think it only prepared me for anything and everything that will come my way in the ever-entertaining and always overwhelming world of communications. Screamed at by a tour manager or dealing with a crisis that will go unnamed, nothing surprises me and hopefully I’m a stronger ‘pr gal’ for it. 

L.O.V.E.

Novels are a genre.

Sermons are a genre.

Grant proposals are a genre.

E-mails are a genre.

Blogs are a genre.

Genre: A highly recognizable form of text that meets the socially defined needs of a community. Genres cultivate social action and arenas of behaviour in response to the text. Genres serve a purpose - they are functional - they serve new rhetorical opportunities.

How and why is Twitter a genre?

Think about it. And in the mean time, why not follow me.

@lauratulley

Although everyone claims to have the best advice, best kept secrets, and all around most ‘unique’ tips and tricks, @ThePRCoach has come to be one of my personal faves to follow. Jeff Domansky tweets all kinds of PR-related advice, most of which I actually read. Although some of it is the same old, same old (target your audience, make it meaningful, communicate value, my brain hurts…), @ThePRCoach always seems to tweet something a little different.

http://www.theprcoach.com/public-relations-vs-real-public-relations/

Real PR is rich, vibrant, challenging and inspiring - I couldn’t have said it better myself! And this particular article reminded me of a previous tumbl. PR doesn’t have to be stagnant, as long as you do, not tell, (and I’ll save you from other cliche blanket statements by just using one), how about we all put our money where our mouths are.

Ready for spring

Do people care? Do they take the time to do this? What if you have to download Scanlife first? How many phones come with a default feature? So many questions… so little interest?

http://techcrunch.com/2010/10/18/likify-qr-code/

The big question at the round table this week is the value of QRCs. Do people take the time to scan one and do they care enough to see what exists at the other end of the technological rainbow? I think it’s a neat novelty, and who doesn’t love the idea of your very own QRC front and centre on marketing collateral BUT where’s the value? In the midst of creating a mobile website at work, this is the looming question. Perhaps it’s more novel than practical. And maybe people don’t know what it is, or what to do with it. But even if it becomes mainstream, and the proper education has carried out, is there enough reason to do it? I’m not totally convinced, but it will be interesting to see what happens as mobile tech matures, interface issues are resolved and n00bs like QRCs become part of the mainstream. 

• Mum: I bought you the black London Fog classic trench
• Me: I bought myself the green London Fog classic trench
• Mum: Oh (sounding dejected), guess I'll have to keep it for myself.
• Me: Really taking one for the team there Mum.