The Intern - an update

Interns Log 
Week 4

And so begins week 4 of my Marketing internship Project. 

Anxiety has dissolved - nervousness subsided. It has been a smooth transition from student to intern! So far..... 

Having successfully learned every bodies names in the office, I am feeling more confident and comfortable in my new environment. I have my own desk area equipped with PC, phone (connected to the outside world!) and useful office supplies.

Oh how I love the feeling of breaking in a brand new note pad!

 ....and the joy in opening a fresh pack of pens! and colourful little accessories to brighten up any work place! 

Every morning, I bound in the front door of the offices with at least 10 new questions to ask. Everyone here has been so pleasant to talk to and very helpful. All the creative ideas that have been stewing in my brain for the past few months have suddenly found an outlet and are dying to burst out onto the scene. I find myself writing down these thoughts long after I have left the constraints of the office, trying to absorb the inspiration all around me. 

Sochi-eesy!! Gay Mountain | Channel 4

I saw this on Friday night watching T.V. and had to rewind three times!!! 



Channel 4 has an extremely varied offering of television series and documentaries on any night of the week: from Alan Carr to Jamie Oliver, from Stephen Hawkins to "Hollyoaks", channel 4 has somethings entertaining on for everyone. The Channel is renowned for pushing the boundaries with their broadcasting choices like "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" and pseudo-documentary " Benefits street" where the viewer is bombarded with images of "characters" making poor choices, sometimes engaging in illegal activity  and living off the English Social Welfare system. Surely there are more uplifting and positive messages out in the world to place in the allocated programme slots for Channel 4.



So when "Gay Mountain" aired on friday evening, the Channel 4 viewers were introduced to a Russian stereotyped Gentleman singing patriotically about a fictional " Gay mountain" and rainbow. I had to laugh at the initial images I saw, and the tag line " Good luck to everyone OUT in Sochi" . Channel 4 do not have any rights to show Olympic sporting coverage, and like many brands before have attempted,  it is seizing the opportunity to advertise around  topic of the Olympic Games. To illustrate how serious the IOC is about protecting the Olympic Brand, here is a quote about the brand's licensing: 



"the official licensing programme is pivotal in helping to build excitement in the host country, and around the world, by releasing merchandise and souvenirs that feature the Olympic marks and the Games emblem, which project the host city's message onto the world stage and promote the Olympic brand."



During the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, only 48 licenses were handed out ( meaning 48 companies were allowed to use the iconic and colourful olympic rings or the 'Vancouver 2010' name as part of their branding. It is estimated that the royalties generated from these brands accounted for over US$57 million, a staggering figure to say that the games are supposed to be all about AMATEUR participants! 



According to the IOC website, this year makrs the 100th year of Marketing the Olympics.Does the IOC have a vrial video that can beat "Gay Mountain"? As a marketing student, I will be watchign closely to see the "spin" for Sochi, especially because of the Russian Foreign policy and their governments views on Human rights. In 2015,  will more people recall the Channel 4 viral video? Have the Guerilla MArketers won?



Tune in to BBC2, to hear all about TEAM GB and nothing else! 

Scarlett for ya

This is the ad that SodaStream aired during the Super Bowl in February 2014. I know that we outside the Excited States of America were not privy to the advertising platform surrounding the Super Bowl events, so I wanted to highlight just a few of my favourite ads that have caused a stir in the recent week. As I'm currently studying Digital Marketing and strategic Marketing campaigns, this example of celebrity endorsement has resonated with me. 





Having used a SodaStream system, I think it is a convenient and environmental sound method for bottled beverages. Simply fill the bottle with tap water, pop it in the carbonating machine and press for extra bubbles. There are now flavours and different syrups as part of the product range, which appeal to a wider range of beverage enthusiasts. Jamie Oliver famously used a SodaStream machine to carbonate flat average table wine to create "home made" Prosecco! 



Scarlett Johansson became the spokesperson for the company and as brand ambassador has come under scrutiny for political and social reasons. As with many high profile celebrity endorsements, the brand SodaStream has landed at the centre of a heated global political debate about ethics and good business practises.



The facts: 

• SodaStream’s largest factory is in a Jewish settlement in the Israeli-occupied westbank an area that many Palestinians envision as part of a future independent state.
• Scarlett Johansson  has been a spokesperson for Oxfam International, the confederation of aid groups, for the past 8 years. 
• There is a conflict of interest for the NGO Oxfam which represents the people and groups who have endured years of conflict and civil unrest in this political landscape, as an antipoverty group that opposes trade with Israeli settlements. 

Ms. Johansson has released a statement to say she remains  "a supporter of economic cooperation and social interaction between a democratic Israel and Palestine.” (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/31/world/middleeast/scarlett-johansson-and-oxfam-torn-apart-by-israeli-company-deal.html?_r=0). The actress and now political pawn has opted to end her charitable work with Oxfam International and continue as a paid spokesperson for the SodaStream company.

Soon-to-be Graduate seeks Internship in Marketing - can double as in-house Barista!

I feel recharged and energised after a wonderful Christmas holiday. The time away from college textbooks and frantic commuting gave me time to reflect on the past few months at DCU Ryan Academy. Since enrolling on the Business Innovation Programme, I've had the opportunity to build my CV, learn about nearly every aspect of digital marketing, and make new and enriching friendships. How far I've come! The wonderful classmates I have met during the course have been supportive and encouraging along every step of the journey. After I rang in the New Year with family and friends in Vancouver, I spent some time pondering about our 2nd semester at DCU. My head was full of questions and thoughts pertaining to the new workshops and assignments I would be starting upon my return to Dublin. Most important among all of these, is the 12 week internship that will commence in February. 

So today, I have continued with my search for an internship in Marketing companies around Dublin. I'm using this opportunity to research some companies of interest to me and seek out the head of their marketing departments. Well, what is expected during an internship? Will i be asked to make 400 cups of coffee a day? Will I stand on the street corner with a sandwich board advertising Subway deals? I'm hoping that the demands of the company will be challenging enough to keep me interested and engaged. With my background in event management, I'm looking to partner with a company that has a marketing, advertising and PR presence. The ideal company would have similar core values to mine, and provide a good learning environment for a novice marketer like me. The search continues...... 

Only 9 more sleeps

Only 9 more sleeps and then it's Christmas! Well it won't actually be Christmas day but for me personally, it's the start of Christmas. The minute I step onto the plane in Dublin, it will be the start of Christmas Holidays. The holiday SPIRIT has infected me since the 1st performance of the Bray Gospel Choir  (November 27th) and has continued to manifest itself as decorations, candles, and the continual playing of Michael Buble's Christmas album. As I headed into Dublin City Centre on Saturday afternoon, to join some merry singers for an afternoon of carolling, I took a few minutes to observe my surroundings. The LUAS was jam packed with people travelling into town for shopping or sipping or singing. When we arrived at Stephen's Green, the atmosphere was electric! Everywhere I looked, people were smiling, laughing, chatting happily to one another. The tacky Christmas jumper brigade were out in full force-  groups of friends gathering for their first drink of the evening, some loud and proud about their outlandish costumes, some a little more embarrassed about their woolly ware. 

If someone asked you to bottle the spirit of Christmas, what would you say? Here's my list of ingredients: 

•  1 tbls cinnamon
•  1/2 tsp all-spice
• a sprinkle of vanilla essence (preferably baked into cookies and pies!)
•  1 cup smell of a wood burning fire
•  2 cups spiced rum
• a dash of that warm feeling you feel when Bing Crosby starts singing

So if it's today, or in 9 days, or in 15 days, pour yourself a glass of Christmas Cheer!

My other 'job'

As the Festive Season comes racing in again, I wanted to share a little bit about Bray Gospel Choir. This is always a hectic time of year for any choir, but a busy choir is a happy choir. 

When we are performing three times in one week, I like to think we are learning and growing together and getting better each time. 

There are quiet times in the year when we will have only one performance in a month. 

But not in December.... oh no.....December is Manic!  It's the time of year when Christmas-meets-Gospel-meets-Motown-meets-Soul. When I get to sing with a wonderfully talented group of my friends and perform Christmas Carols with a Gospel flair.  Sometimes, I'm lucky enough to stand in front of them and listen to the incredible beauty of their voices while also attempting to keep the tempo. 

Here's the first entry (of many more to come) where I introduce, my happy day, my amazing grace, my rock, my Bray Gospel Choir: 

In January 2009, while sitting around the kitchen table of a very close friend, the idea for the Bray Gospel Choir came about over several pots of tea. There were four of us, all looking for a musical outlet - having individually participated in singing groups in the past - and wanting to sing with our friends. Just once a week, hang out and sing with like-minded people. 

Nearly 5 years later, and Bray Gospel Choir is a performance choir with an extensive repertoire of music, 43 current members, 8 session musicians, as well as 8 babies (and counting)!!!

In 2010,  We worked with Mary Coughlan on a Charity gig for Umoza, joining her on ‘The Magdalene Laundries’. That summer brought the fantastic Bray Summerfest and the opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of fans on Bray Seafront. In October, the choir joined Eurovision legends Niamh Kavanagh and Johnny Logan for a charity event on radio and later, Christmas carolling on Grafton street. 

 Here are a few pics of our Wedding Choir - available for wedding ceremonies, receptions, even outdoor-mountain-top nuptial blessings....we've done it all! 

Recognise this from RTE Big Music Week???????

This is the first of many entries I will dedicate to my special singing group. Every thursday night, 11 months of the year, you will find us rehearsing in The Martello in Bray, preparing for our next big performance. Undoubtedly, you will hear us before you see us! 

The people I have met through the choir continue to inspire me; they are talented, they are my friends, and most importantly they are positive people. Rehearsal nights are my escape from the frantic world outside, where I can step in beside my friends and sing loud and proud, all to my hearts content.

Our website is www.braygospelchoir.ie where you can read more about our musical accelades and upcoming Gospel Gigs. 

The Story So far...

After a hectic few weeks, I've put some time aside to update my blog.

Actually, I'm avoiding some homework that needs to be done for tomorrow.

Actually, I'm using this online forum to vent about my frustrations in an attempt to draw a veil over what happened today.

So lesson for the day: ALWAYS double check your media files and your laptop before a presentation. Practise at least 10 times before your presentation. Practise right up until the last minute, if you have the opportunity. That's my advice after what happened in college today....

My Dragon's Den group made an heroic recovery today from a  presentation. The video just never played. we clicked and tried again and clicked and restarted. But the video never started. Thank you team ( you know who you are) for staying professional. It was my fault - no way around it- and I will spend the rest of the evening dwelling over "what if....". What if I have just plugged in my laptop? What if we had an extra few days to practise - even an extra few hours?
I'm not going to get over this guilty feeling any time today, but ranting online is helping a small bit!  However, throughout the entire presentation, the team remained calm and collected on the outside. I'm very grateful that I had a team of classmates with audio-visual expertise standing at the ready to help us. I'm very grateful that somewhere along the way, during the lat 5 years living in Ireland, I have picked up the gift of the gabb and so when the entire class was staring up at a blank screen, I was able to blabble on and fill a few awkward moments of silence. Maybe kissing the Blarney stone is not just a myth after all....

Lesson learned!