Monday 31 March 2014

Individual Company Project Update

PR CASES 2.25.14                        Individual Company Project Update
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Updates are highlighted.  Students chose one organization to follow during the first week of class.  By following past and current media coverage, students will analyze positive and negative perceptions and impressions using strategies for case analysis described in the text.  
Students will be responsible for the following (each area is worth 100 points = 300 points total):
1. A series of posts on CourseDen that analyze traditional and non-traditional media;
2. A case presentation and ppt on the organization (March 10 - April 21); and
3.  A comprehensive written case analysis (due 4/9).
SERIES OF POSTS:
Students will be responsible for submitting 3 posts over a four-week period that identify three different topics/issues about the organization that have both positive and negative coverage across traditional (newspaper, radio, television) and non-traditional media (internet based media, social media, blogs, etc.).  They will be due at the end of Week 6, Week 7, Week 8 and Week 9 should be uploaded to CourseDen in the company posts folder.  
For each post, compare and contrast the topic/issue coverage across all media and assess the impact that the coverage has on the issue and the company reputation and public relationships.  What was the response of the organization?  Using Swann's typology of reactive public relations responses (p. 36), identify and analyze the organizational response.  What would you do to improve the way this issue was handled?  Using Swann's steps for effective communication (p. 37), analyze the communication timing and key messages.  Could the communication efforts been more effective with the addition of other, complementary communication tactics (see pp. 38-39 for media and other types of tactics)? 
For each week,  a different issue will be identified and this same process of comparing/contrasting/evaluating will be followed for the each media specified.  Posts should be 700-800 words each.  The series of posts will provide a snapshot analysis of the organization you are following and, together, will provide a mini media audit of your organization.
Posts will be due on Sundays at midnight for each week: Feb. 14, Feb. 21, Feb. 28, Mar. 7. 

PPT & PRESENTATION:
Students will individually present in class an overview of the organization they are following with a focus on what the organization's mission/vision are, how well they articulate that mission in their public communications, and how successful they are in managing the mission and key messages with both traditional and non-traditional media. 
Since you are in the midst of your research, we can consider these presentations as research-in-progress.  Therefore, it would be acceptable to present the mission/vision, situational analysis, SWOT, etc. and focus on one case study in-depth with a discussion of expected outcomes.  Conversely, if you have already completed the bulk of your research and want to include all three issues (we dropped the 4th company post) and present your conclusions, that is also fine.  Be sure to tie in your company to the type of PR (community relations, media relations, financial, etc. - it is okay to review previous presentations on the subject) and address theory.
We will have three cases each class period with the remainder presented during the mandatory finals period.  Your presentation and discussion should last no longer than 20 minutes.  Your ppts should be uploaded to the wiki next to your name on the schedule prior to class: http://uwgprcases.pbworks.com/w/page/73709495/Assigned%20Companies%20and%20Schedule
WRITTEN CASE ANALYSIS:
Students will use company and media research to write a 10-page case analysis of the organization with a focus on a wide range of traditional and non-traditional media.  The summary should include the summary:
1.  Organizational Overview:  Current status, history, mission, vision, financial status.
2.  SWOT Analysis.
3.  Summary statement about the SWOT analysis findings.
4.  Identification of key audiences.
5.  Media Analysis based on specific media previously analyzed.
6.  A review of the organization's online news room and media kit.
7.  Recommendations for the public relations department relative to findings from 1-5 above.  This should be presented in the form of a media relations plan:  Situation analysis, goals for each type of media, measurable and time-bound objectives (pp. 25-27 for three types and discussion), specific tactics, timeline, and budget.  A letter to the CEO, written in a standard business format, will provide an overview of the need for the plan and projected outcome.
8.  Bibliography. MLA.
9.  Copies of the media articles/broadcasts/posts/etc. that you analyzed.
EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: Accepted in class during the finals period.
1.  Printed copies of the annual report and press kits for the company you are researching are worth 10 extra points each (20 points possible) and will be added to your company project grade. 
2.  Formal corporate identity guidelines for any company are worth 5 points each.  Bring a printed copy to class during the finals period with the website listing.  These guidelines typically are several pages long and include different versions of logos and samples of usage.
3.  Social media guidelines for any company are worth 5 points each.  These are typically 3-5 pages long.  A social media guide for Delta Airlines would qualify for 5 extra credit points.  An article on social media would not qualify.

TOTAL EXTRA CREDIT POINTS POSSIBLE: 30

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