Tutorial 2 for BHPR 2014: Public Relations & New Media (Ms. Sabrina Wong)

Do we hire for "Free" Media?" in a new media form

In today's world, it is almost undeniable that the new media which involves any contents generated in the internet is so prevalent in our daily lives in every aspect. However, with the new media there are two types which are paid media and free media. Paid media refers to contents on the net which must be paid examples are particularly related to advertisements, marketing or the publicity of a product in the internet in the form of banner ads, pop-ups, video advertisements and so on which must be paid. Free media on the other hand many times refers to sites in which are free of charge for users to use and a great example of free media are social link websites such as Facebook, Youtube, Twitter or personal blogsites. In Malaysia, almost 90% of our population are on Facebook which is a social media website on the internet and we are some of the most active users in the world. Now, the question do we hire for Free Media refers to whether there is a need to hire a specific and specialize personnel to handle all affairs of the free media in an organization.

In my personal opinion, yes we do hire new media personnel today and is a practicing trend by many organizations nowadays. Moreover, it is a must for organizations to have a new media personnel. 

The first reason to my opinion is because it is undeniable that the new media is constantly changing and adapting itself daily with bits of pieces of new changes here and there. The media of today may be totally different from the new media of yesterday. Due to this constantly evolving new media it is vital for an organization to hire a new media officer to keep track of all these changes and to understand the effective measures to meet the organizations desires. By having a specific personnel to keep track of all these changes, it allows an organization to be up to date to any trends or happenings rather than being left out therefore being ineffective any longer. Example about last year a major world trend was the gangnam phenomena which was greatly discussed and circulated in the free media. From this many organizations used this phenomena and created their own versions of the gangnam style and used this as a sort of advertsement or publicity for the organization to great success. This understanding of trend may come from new media personnel. 

The second reason is the knowledge a new media executive may have which will be beneficial to an organization. Today, there are many studies relating to the new media students must undergo in their education which equips potential new media officer with the knowledge and understanding to how the new media works nowadays. Example, the study we are taking now which is PR and New Media is a subject which allows students to have a greater understanding to the world of new media and how as PR practitioners we may use it effectively.  Being equip with these knowledge sets new media personnel apart from other personnel in an organization. 

The third reason is that by having a new media personnel it allows a specific person to be in charge of all the free media aspects. It is advantageous as by having a specific new media personnel it allows specific focus and attention paid in any pressing issues relating to the new media or free media rather by having example another public relations practitioners to handle this alongside other issues. The new media particularly free media needs a specific person in charge for example with social link sites like facebook it allows immediate and prompt feedback from users. Therefore, it is vital for an organization to have a personnel in replying these feedbacks to foster greater relationship with the public and also to prevent any problems to arise from these. 

To summarize, the hiring of a new media personnel is vital for any organization seeking to effectively tap into the world of new media. With today's free media where contents can be generated by anyone anytime, it also arises many problems and without a specific personnel to monitor all these, may prove potentially harmful to an organization.

Giving Thanks! =)

Hey guys! Well, it's the year 2014 already and  boy it really feels as if time has passed by so quickly again. Sooooo, since its the start of the new year, i have a couple of things to give thanks about =) (p.s and also to the opportunity to update my blog before i get #BURRIED in all my assignments SOON).

1. Being the Class Rep

Just about 1 week ago, i was promoted by my class to become their Class Representative. Though having this title may seem nice la, but for us students it definitely AIN'T because everyone viewes being class Rep as a troublesome and burdensome task, and honestly i thought of that at first too. Though  yes, being class rep now i have more responsibility and tasks to do, like being responsible for updates for my class and also the notes (which sometimes can be sooo Heavy), but you know i am Thankful i'm given this opportunity to learn =) You know, i've always wanted to be at least be someone during my degree studies and not just be just another person among the crowd. So i guess, this gives me the chance to not only be someone at least, but also to learn and apply all the lessons i've learn in the past. And honestly, i am grateful i've been applying all that i've learn i Johor Branch here, and without this opportunity i wouldn't have been able to done so too =) Plus! I get to meet and communicate with more people now, which is also something to be thankful about =)

2. Church

Ever since i've came up to KL, an issue i've always been thinking about is which church to root in. I have visited a couple of churches here and there, but none since then which i felt i had the conviction to root in till recently. I guess before this, my search for a church has been somewhat wrong. Before instead of looking for a place i could grow in, i focused too much on the people(friends) or place(building). But i am thankful, as slowly i went to church more often, which is Acts church, slowly week by week my conviction grew stronger and stronger, to root in Acts not because of the friends which initially i didn't know anyone except my own classmates, but because of the worship and word which attracts me most about. And now, i am just so thankful i'm place in Acts, a truly wonderful church which i am grateful to be in =)

3. Bringing friends to church

And just when i decided to root in Acts, i am just soooOOOO thankful i was able to bring two my friends from Johor Branch Jonathan & HongChin to acts and they're even willing to root in Acts too! =) You know before this semester started i've always had this conviction to bring them to church because they were from the same CF society with me back in Johor branch and i just felt convicted that though we are in KL now i just couldn't leave them on their own here. And you know God works in such wonderful ways and just the other day i spontaneously met Jonathan and just simply invited him to church and since then i am so grateful to have him with me in church everyday since then together with HongChin. Even Sasii another friend of mine has been visiting church together with us too.
You know truly God knows and understands the desires of our hearts, and he'll never cease to Amaze how He can work to make those desires to be fulfilled. Thank & grateful indefinitely about having them with me in Acts now =)

4.  Shoes!

So thankful to have bought a pair of new shoes today. Been searching endlessly for a nice pair and finally got this today!Moreover theres a promo of 20% which wasn't there last week. Blessing in disguise!

My old worn out shoes, in serving for nearly 3 years now

, you have served me well =)

New shoes! =) So gonna love this shoe

Well, these are just a few things to be thankful about =)
It's definitely gonna be a busy Semester for week, Hope i can cope.
Take care everyone! =)

Tutorial 1 for BHPR 2014: Public Relations & New Media (Ms. Sabrina Wong)

New Media Public Relations VS Marketing & Advertisement

Definition & Understanding of New Media

New media refers to on-demand access to information anytime or anywhere, on any digital  related devices, which involves interactive user feedback, and creative participation. Another aspect of new media is the real-time generation of news and information may be created on the spot and it is possible for it to be read by millions of readers around the globe. Moreover, it also involves the concept of unregulated content in which contents which surface in the new media do not have a gatekeeper to determine which information is truth and false thus meaning news are unregulated which could potentially be dangerous. New media today is greatly engaged and used by organizations and companies around the world due to its great potential. Specifically, the Public Relations departments and as well the Marketing & Advertisements department have tapped into the use of the new media due to the fact both professions focuses heavily on the promotion and publicity be it products, image or an organization. Here, we will be contrasting the difference between Public Relations and Marketing & Advertisement in the new media in two distinctive points which are concept and functions with its implementation in place.

Difference in Concepts

The concept of Public relations relates to the management of of relationship between an organization and its publics and how its image and reputation are maintained or improved. When it comes to the new media, it is how the new media is used for example social media websites like facebook are used to maintain and create greater relationship with the organizations public through allowing facebook users to give their feedback regarding any topics as the organizations deems to be discussed. 

On the other hand, the concept of Marketing & Advertising involves the deliberate planning and execution of plans relating to the promotion and advertisement of a product to obtain an organizations business goals or expectations. Marketing & Advertisment may also not only relate itself solely to business but also to other purposes such as Public Service Announcements(PSA) which purpose is for social development. In new media terms, it is how the electronic and digital sphere are employed to promote a particular object. For example, a recent trend we see is the use of youtube advertisements in which viewers are forced to watch companies advertisements. This a way it promotes its products to its publics. 

Difference in Functions

Public relations functions in building and maintaining relationships and this is achieved through effective two way communication between an organization and its public. With the new media today, it allows this source of communication to be done in immediate and prompt fashion which does not require much wastage of time carrying the information between both senders. With just a click of a house or press of a keyboard button, a particular message may be sent in just a matter or seconds example being an email. Thus, we see almost every organization or companies today at least have a social media account from twitter to facebook, to google+ or even friendster. The reason to this is because it allows communication ot occur very simply and easily. Example, Petronas a oil and gas company based in Malaysia has a facebook account which about half a million likes. It is active in updates and also the generation of news which also allows users to give their feedback and comments. This therefore allows the building of a more personal and intermediate relationship with the public especially the younger generations today. 

Marketing & Advertisement on the other hand is more focus in how it promotes and create publicity regarding its products. New media is a great asset to this profession because news or information regarding a product may be generated and publicize immediately plus with low cost involve compared to traditional media such as advertisements which may cost thousands of dollars to have a advertisement put up. We will use social media as an example for Marketing & Advertisement to show the difference between the two professions. For example,Milo a hot chocolate drink company uses social media intensively and a way in which they market their products is with the use of various posts involving catchy words, illustration or words to be shared in facebook. By doing so, it generates promotion or advertisement for its products as every user subscribe to its facebook page views the promotion and whenever it is liked, commented or re-shared more people will be exposed to it. Therefore, this is how facebook is used by companies for marketing and advertisement.

In a nutshell, this is a brief personal opinion of the contrast of the two professions use of the new media which are namely in concepts and functions for my study purposes.

5 Blessed Moments of 2013

 5 Blessed Moments of 2013

Hey guys! Waoh, i haven't blogged in a super duper long time and i guess i really want to kick the old habit of blogging back once more. Since 2013 is coming to an end what better way to start blogging than to lists my five best moments of 2013 huh? ;) 

You know, looking back at 2013, i can't help but say it's been a truly blessed & wonderful year for me. So many awesome and wonderful things happened this year but i guess there are five unique moments which has  truly marked this as an unforgettable year for me ;)

1. Life Guard

During my Diploma studies in TARC Johor branch, besides being busy in my studies and Christian Fellowship (CF) society stuffs in college, i was also busy training away my days to become a Life Guard. I remembered we used to train every Monday to Thursdays 5pm-7pm and sometimes even on Fridays at our college swimming pool and at times honestly it really gets so tiring. This went on for about a year but i'm thankful finally on March 11, we took our exams and Aced it! ;)

I guess this is a defining moment for me this year because swimming has always been my favorite hobby and sport which i have always wanted to achieve something in life related to swimming besides you know just casually swimming for leisure. The feeling of accomplishment and success from this achievement for me is simply indescribable and is definitely a unforgettable moment of 2013. 

{ Was soo happy to have received
the Life Saving Certificate
 by the Malaysian Life Saving Society =] }

{My three other awesome buddies whom we trained
together Me, Alan, Diong & Ah Kai ;)
and yes we became sooooo overly
tanned man haha, that's why i'm dark =P }

{Our 2013 Life Saving Society of 2013, TARC Johor Branch}

2. Convocation/Graduation Day

Next would definitely have to be my convocation or graduation day of 2013 where i officially graduate from my Diploma studies in TARC Johor Branch. 

Convocation is a defining moment for me simply because it culminates my two years of diploma studies. Looking back, though at first i regretted and resented the fact of me being here, but after two years i would proudly say  that there is no single moment i would regret because i know that everything that had happened be it good or bad served its purpose in teaching and maturing me. Truly i would not deny it has been God's planning from the very beginning :) And if someone were to ask me, 'So do you regret studying in TARC Johor Branch?' My answer would unanimously be, Nope with a big smile :) 

({Never expected to have received so
many flowers during convo,
truly so blessed :] }

{Me with my Grandma & Mummy ;] }

{Me & my Life Saving Society buddies}

{ Another random photo ;) }

{ Abby, Deka & Alan, some of the few friends that
helped made my life in Johor Branch
simply unforgettable :) }

3. Japan~!

Now the third amazing thing for me of 2013 was being able to fly to Japan and have a awesome holiday with my family. The last time i traveled this far was when i was still a kid at the age of 12. You wouldn't imagine how excited i was when i got on the plane preparing to fly off to Japan :)

Definitely an awesome moment because i've been dreaming of this for so many years now. And being able to visit the places you actually wish of dream of, is simply so fulfilling and awesome :) 

{ On the wings to Japan on MAS :) }

{ Blessed to have celebrated my 21st birthday with my family and friends in Japan :) }

{ Visited Osaka, haha i remembered when i got here,
i was like a child in a toy shop, especially
when your a history lover like me! }

{Shinsai Bashi district of Japan :) }

{ I'm telling you all the hype and talk about the
awesomeness of Kobe Beef is all
TRUEEEE :) }

{ Visited the golden pavilion in Kyoto! :) }

{ Kobe City! :) }

{ The simply Beautiful flower fields of Bieie Hokkaido Japan! :) }

{ Flowers oh flowers, beautiful huh? }

4. Life in KL 

After completing my Diploma studies, finally in September i officially moved up to KL to pursue my Degree studies in TARUC Setapak KL. 

Being here so far, has simply been Amazing and i am so truly grateful and blessed with all that i have here. From having a wonderful university here to study, to a beautiful room to live in and amazing friends around me here, it's truly a wonderful life. This also saw a transition for me from life back in the slow paced Segamat to coming here to a big city.

{ View of the room i'm currently living now }

{Now having lectures means having class with hundreds of other students }

{One thing i love? The swimming pool! :) }

{Our CITC lab, usually filled to the brink with students}

{Our main Admin building, also the nicest la in college}

{I love tarc badges! :) soo cute }

{ The wonderful friends i've made which has
brought so much color in my life here in KL} 

5. Rediscovering God

Ultimately the best moment of 2013 is being able to rediscover God again. Honestly, many many months back i was truly struggling in many ways in my walk as a Christian. So many questions and doubts simply lingered in me that i unfortunately lost my zeal as a Christian. 

But you know what? It is always so amazing how at times we may leave God yet God will never leave us and always find ways to bring us back to him again. No one is forgotten in the eyes of God :) Coming up to KL so far, i've truly seen how God has worked in me and using so many wonderful people in my life to bring me back to him. And now, i can testify that i have rediscovered God in my life and am truly enjoying every moment of it now :)

Even as 2014 approaches, i pray and hope this would be a year in which i may continue to learn and grow not only in terms of maturity or in my studies but as a Christian. Somehow, i believe its gonna be an interesting and awesome year ahead :) because 

 Life never Seizes to Amaze with God ;)

So, well really wanna wish everyone a Happy New Year and May you have a Awesome year ahead! =)

Reflections & Resolutions..

Hey ya! Well, it's 2012 already! Yet another year has passed ushering another brand New Year!

Before i make other posts of this year, i guess it's important first to do some Reflections of 2011.

2011 truly has been a year much many New Things, Learning & Experience which i guess have never learnt so much in one Year as in 2011.

YMI~!

I remembered starting the Year with YMI or Youth Mission Initiative. It was truly a Great experience, a One Month long Mission trip in Kluang and in Sentul Kuala Lumpur. Experience so much, we were sent to a School for Refugees where we helped out there. It was truly a Great eye opener being able to see Life in the eyes of others, being away from home being independent and working hard labour, yup you heard it hard labour! And making many Awesome Friends in the process.

Volunteer Work~!

Well, after YMI while waiting for my SPM results, i remembered signing up to do volunteer work at Calvary Victory Center which is basically like a school for children with Autism. True enough, this was another Great eye opener. I mean, working, helping & teaching children whom are Special. I bet not many people actually have this experience working with children with Austism, and true enough its an experience i'm proud to bear. Learnt that you know we are really actually so Blessed. Be CONTENT & HAPPY with your Life. What i learnt, even these Children can be so Joyous & Happy even with their disabilities, why not us? But honestly, at many times even i find myself biting on the very experience & words i said.

College Life~!

During that entire time leading up to obtaining my spm results, One Major Theme always ringing through my mind was whats next with my Education? What am i going to study where am i going to study? I found myself thinking over & over again over the same very questions which haunted me so much.

I had many different plans, paths & places which i made for my studies, but you know what? I don't know, all my plans didn't really materialize and at the end of it all, i ended up in TARC Johor Branch.

Many times i'm asked, what in the World are you doing in TARC Beven? And why are you taking Public Relations? Because true enough TARC nor Public Relations wasn't what i've plan or dream of taking. Honestly, it was almost at the bottom of the lists of studies and colleges to go to~!

And yet, i find myself ending up here in TARC studying PR. You know, sometimes the very Dreams we have or Desire may not necessarily materialize. Alright even though its true it may HURT not being able to achieve your Dreams, but hey? If one Dream is far out of reach why not Find another Dream instead? And yes, i have found another Dream. To study until i end up in England & graduate with a Masters. Yup, perhaps it's a bit far fetch, but hey Aim for the Skies right? =P

Singapore~!

Another thing which happened this year is actually learning to be able to travel to & around Singapore. Before 2011, i was a complete IDIOT in going to Singapore. I totally did not know the routes and ways to travel to Singapore even though i live in Johor Bahru which is like so NEAR to Singapore. But because of friends and in the name of Love, yeaa i learnt how to travel to Singapore and yup, now i can confidently travel to singapore, okay not EVERYWHERE lah but can traveeel.. =P

Love~!

And the last, perhaps will be Love. Ah i bet your eyes must be opened wide now & adjusting your seat in the process. LOVE~! I'm sure if you know me, yea you'll be like sooo excited to read this now. haha.

Well, yea i guess i can't deny that another major theme of 2011 was about Love. Fell in Love and actually learnt so much from it. Really, i guess this is the first time i'm actually that serious, i mean actually really trying to woo a girl. WOAH another new experience! But yea, these past few months has really been something. Learnt like how to write songs, fold origami, travel and also learning to take Risks.

Well, i'm still single though, lol~! Maybe ain't good enough for her, perhaps she deserves someone better than me? I don't know. Find myself in a crossroad of Holding on to something which seems to distant now or Letting go & moving on with Life.

Love can be so Sweet & Wonderful but yet also very Painful & Hurtful.

But i guess whats important is this, it ain't about Finding the Right person, but Becoming the Right Person.

Resolutions~!

Well, my resolutions for 2012 would firstly be, being the strong Christian i used to be. Yup, not as Strong nor Holy as a Christian i used to be honestly, hopefully can rebuild back that Strong Christian Beven i used to me. Next, will also be doing well in my studies, maintaing a CGPA of 3.8 and above. Yuuup and also to continue to revive back the Christian Fellowship here in TARC. Lastly, yea hopefully will find my companion this year. That's all i guess.

Happy Blessed New Year Everyone~! (:

TARC Christmas Celebration

Well, we're finally going to have our Christmas Celebration here in TARC (Johor Branch) organize by our own Christian Fellowship. Can't wait for it! I've been dreaming and envisioning of this day since first entering college, to plan a Christmas Celebration event for TARCIANS here in our campus. And finally it's coming true!

We started planning about two weeks ago, we're gonna have games, worship, performances, gift exchanges, fellowship & FUN~!
You know, our Christian Fellowship here in our Campus has been DEAD for many years. And now, this year we're slowly reviving it. Upon coming into college, it has always been my dream and vision to revive the CF here.

In the beginning, finding fellow Christians here is really like finding needles in a haystack! It was really that hard! It's not like very one has big Sign Boards hanging over their heads saying, CHRISTIAN HERE~! It was truly a Challenge. In the beginning, there was only four of us, and now it was grown to Twelve! Yup! Well, maybe to you it may not be a VERY big number, but for us here it really is. We now have a small band, only lacking of a Keyboardist but we have many TALENTED people!

We have a COOL BeatBoxer name Stanza~! His totally AWESOME with beatboxing man! We have an Awesome Singer name Sam~! Great musicians like Chih Jun & Jason~! And a Groovy Dancer name Hong Chin! Awesome IT Technician Wei Long, a Good Christian leader Jonathan, helpers like Daniel & Dickson. We've all been working together for this event which we will have pretty soon. And many others!

I am proud of our acomplishments so far even though we only started joining together not too long. Simply hoping & praying everything will go Awesomely well later.
God please help us to do our Best & also to be able to bring about the TRUE meaning of Christmas to all our Friends. Bless us Lord~! AMEN!

Priorities...

Priorities. Sometime ago i've read this somewhere before. It says, life is is like a container. Not too sure whether you've heard of it before and the things in life we fill in it refers to the things we treasure in life.

If we put the bigger things in the container first, lets say rocks in it it takes space, but there are spaces left. But there are still room for more things inside like placing marbles, pebbles and lastly sand to make that container full. However, if we place the sand first, the smaller things first, there won't be room for any other things.


Recently, honestly life has been pretty rough to me. Love, Responsibilities, Accountability, Character & Studies has really been a big bugger to me.

Worst part is, got back my Public Relation Test paper today. Oh man, did so badly for it. I was totally shocked at my results. How could i have done so badly? What went wrong? I studied for it and yet huh? Disappointment i am no doubt about it. But what can i do but to accept me failure as a lesson? I am Happy to see my friends in class succeeding, try to put on a smile but deep down, disappointment grips.

Back to priorities. Have to fix my priorities right, and do what is right to not disappointment myself and the people around me whom really love & cares for me. Bulk up Beven. Jiayou...