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

Leo is Thirsty for More

As many of my readers know, I am a Creative Communications student in my second year. A huge part of our curriculum is our Independent Professional Project (IPP). My IPP is a documentary on three haunted places in Manitoba and I am pleased to say that this IPP is well on it's way. I have documented two out of the three sites and have done some paranormal research of my own.

The fact is, that based on my script and proposal, only one story is supposed to have an investigation. All three are filmed using different mediums. One involves a reenactment, one is an investigation and the other is filled with eye-witness accounts.

From what I have noticed, my friends both at school and out of school have been recommending that I visit sites from all over the province. I really enjoy investigating and don't need anymore locations to be researched for my IPP.

However, I have decided that as part of my marketing tool, to get this documentary placed on national television, I should continue to investigate and blog about my findings.

I have decided that a blog full of investigations would be a great piece to have when I pitch my idea for national television. Who knows, maybe if I don't find a job right after graduation, I will have a career in a television series waiting for me. One can only hope.

In the mean time I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing. Not only for my documentary, but for my overall interest in this topic. I absolutely love the rush of completely spooking myself out! And I hope you all will enjoy reading about it as well.

Thank you to all for your support and feel free to recommend haunted places, movies and books. I appreciate the interest all of you have in my project as well as the support I have received.