Stuff from The Winnipeg Paranormal Group ... pretty cool

It is widely accepted that there are four main types of hauntings:

Check out their website Winnipeg Paranormal Group

Type 1: Residual Haunting

These types of hauntings are impressions in time that have been imprinted on the place that is haunted. Think of them as pieces of a movie that is stuck on repeat. They play through at the same time of the day over an over. They are not aware, nor can they interact with anyone or anything physically around them. Remember, they are nothing more than a scene in a movie, they cannot hurt you. They exist solely as a fraction of time, stuck on a loop.

Type 2: Intelligent Haunting 

These types of hauntings are due to the spirit of a person or animal that has not, for some reason, crossed over after their death. These hauntings involve a spirit you can interact with. they are aware of you, and interact with you via, sounds, touch, smell and posibly sight. When you ask them a question, they are capable, though not always willing, to reply.

Type 3: Demonic Haunting

These types of hauntings are extremely rare. These spirits are non-human and very violent. Signs of demonic haunting include a strong sulfuric odour, growling noises and physical contact including pushing, hitting, shoving and scratching. The main goal of a demonic haunting is to emotionally break down a person.

Type 4: Poltergeist Haunting 

The term 'Poltergeist' is German for 'Noisy Ghost', which is an accurate definition of this type of haunting. This spirit or entity is usually much more destructive than a traditional haunting. Poltergeist is a series of events that appear to be that of ghosts, but are generated within the depths of the mind of, usually, a young woman. These events are created without the woman's awareness. Some common activities include thumping, moving objects, banging, or object-throwing. 

Social media does matter

It's mazing how something as small as social media can make a huge difference in the world we live in. It seems that nowadays everyone wants to amp up their use of social media, but many companies don't have the time. Social media to most seems more like a hobby than a communication tactic. I am sure many people take social media for granted, and I was one of them until today.

I had a scheduled meeting today/interview with Winnipeg innovative branding and advertising firm, Cocoon Branding Inc. At the interview, Kyle Romaniuk, owner of Cocoon and I discussed a possible internship within the company for a three week period in April, as part of my curriculum for the graduating year in Creative Communications at Red River College.

The interview was different than any other interviewing experience I have had before. I was asked to bring in samples and present them. The funny thing is that in our advertising class at Red River College, we were asked to bring in three portfolio samples on Monday. That being said, what I brought in to Cocoon wasn't exactly a portfolio. Still, I presented each sample and gave a few descriptions. I was surprised that the most well received piece was the mock-up of an ad I cut and glued for Lush in last year's magazine project. I was given some interesting insights to the concept during the meeting today and will continue to keep this "handmade" ad as a portfolio piece.

Lush ad - second image

We spent an hour discussing my work, Cocoon's work and my future goals. I showed him a top favourite Super Bowl ad, discussed the Knorr Sidekick's "Salty" capaign ( a favourite of mine) and discussed the MALA campaign I am currently working on. MALA, the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects has asked the PR and advertising majors in Creative Communications to come up with an awareness campaign for their organization. I discussed our "big idea" with Kyle and he gave me positive feedback.  I appreciate all of the advice Kyle has given me and plan to implement what I can.

I am pleased to say that I will be interning at Cocoon in April, a goal of mine for quite some time. I appreciate the opportunity to learn at a higher level and experience new ways of advertising, marketing and branding. I think Cocoon and I are on the same page. I just wrote an electronic publication to be designed as a downloadable app for the iPad, and Cocoon just did a similar app-like campaign for Grant's scotch whiskey.

In addition to the internship, I may have something extra to offer them. As part of our curriculum in the Creative Communications program, we have to maintain a Twitter account, a LinkedIn and a blog. Funny, you wouldn't think that your school would want you to use social media in class. I never thought this skill would benefit me in my future career. However, I was asked today to come up with ideas to help drive a following on Cocoon's Twitter. I find this to be an interesting task and have already thought of other ways to drive people to connect with Cocoon.

Looking forward to April!

~Jenn

Favourite car Super Bowl ad of 2011

Nope, it's not the Volkswagen Darth Vader one ( although it did make me laugh). This year, the Chrysler ad is my pick of the year. Maybe my infatuation with Mad Men has gotten to me, but I have always enjoyed old Hollywood-style anything. This ad, reminds us of how driving a car used to be. It's classic.