IMC Hawks Blog

Author: imcclass

  • Careers in the CC Realm

    Careers in corporate communication are not limited; there are endless opportunities for success and growth within a corporate setting. Often while looking for a job, the term “corporate” may intimidate one due to the fact that most corporate jobs equal large corporations that have maintained their reputation and entering their teams may entail a large workload. Settings of corporate communication careers vary widely; however, the worldwide web is becoming one of the main channels for corporate communication.

    A Corporate Communication Director is just one example of a career within the corporate communication realm. This position requires the understanding of the way communication is interpreted by individuals and in group settings through the study of theory and the nature of communication throughout history. While in this career, one will learn how to evaluate and do an analysis of communication, in print and orally. This career typically requires with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies and can continue into the Master’s level. A person who has completed the required elements to become a Corporate Communication Director may also become a Public Relations Director, Advertising Director, Lease Negotiator, etc.

    Public relations and corporate communication tie directly into each other in the aspect that corporate communication professionals deal with external public relations for the most part. Through brand exposure, public relations increase industries’ media personnel and journalists. While dealing with the public relations aspect, relationships are formed with key personnel to maximize the quality of the exposure.

    In any career that deals with corporate communication, the person must have sound analytical skills and knowledge of the many theories of communication and be able to evaluate what is placed in front of them at any point in time.

    Kelly Wiley

  • Event Planning- Glamorous or Not?!


    As a new intern at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation, I didn’t realize how many careers could all be considered “corporate communication” titles. It is a small office, consisting of six women and myself. Their titles are: Annual Gifts Officer, Major Gifts Officer, Administrative Associate, Special Events Officer and Finance and Stewardship Officer. One of the main issues associated with all of these titles is how wordy they are and the fact that all of these women undertake several tasks outside of their job titles.

    Our professor often touches on the realities of event planning; I can relate well to this since I work under the Special Events Officer at NHRMC Foundation. The realities of this corporate communication position are long hours, planning with some very opinionated committee members, having to constantly be organized, the ability to multitask and working with a limited budget (especially in a non-profit office). Third party events are also a majority of this position’s responsibility. So far for our Pink Ribbon Event, there have been third-party events consisting of: Monty Miller’s Boot Camp, Rock for the Cure, Pink Martinis at Ruth’s Chris, TrySport’s 5k and Angie’s Amazing race…and these are just for one event! The special events officer is responsible for attending all of these.

    This is just insight on ONE corporate communication career, the list of other titles is almost infinite. While event planning may not be as glamorous as films such as “The Wedding Planner” portray it to be, it is a very rewarding and fabulous career for the right person!

    -Emily Hunter

  • Does the word “corporate” in a job title mislead people?

    How are careers in corporate communication defined exactly? What kind of careers are even designated to the field of corporate communication?

    Jobs and professions in today’s society are categorized much more specifically by their titles than just being a doctor, dentist, blacksmith, plumber, or teacher. For example, careers that fall under the category of corporate communication are: corporate communications director, corporate communications specialist, internal corporate communications specialist, corporate communications/public relations manager, and corporate communications coordinator. What does all this mean? From the job title alone, it is hard to know what exactly the job description is and what it will consist of.

    Careers in corporate communication can be linked to jobs in public relations, advertising, integrated marketing communication and other related fields in communication studies. If you are searching for a job in any of these fields, don’t be afraid by the word “corporate” if it is in the job title. Society has given emotion to the word, corporate. It is made out to be this tough, professional, dictating vocation where everyone walks around in blue and grey suits all day. Yes, in reality there are people that wear blue and grey suits daily, but those are popular business colors. But, in all actuality, the word corporate is defined as “belonging to a corporation or company; pertaining to a united group.” Therefore, when a company assigns a job title with the words “corporate communication” in it, they are most likely informing people that they are looking for someone who can handle the specific communication tasks between many people either within their own corporation or with outside corporations whom they do business with. These companies are looking for people who can perform the needed skills in the public relations and advertising fields for a large company, not a small, local business for instance.

    -Danielle Dorantich

     

  • Mark Cuban: Controversial Corporate Communication

    On January 4, 2000, Mark Cuban purchased a majority stake in the NBA Dallas Mavericks basketball team for $285 million from H. Ross Perot, Jr. Since then, Cuban has been known for being highly involved in his team; he is often seen yelling and going crazy on the sidelines. Mark Cuban’s crazy antics have been the source of extensive media attention and controversy. The billionaire has been fined at least $1,665,000 to date for his critical statements about the league and especially the referees. However, Cuban reportedly matches his NBA fines with charitable donations of equal value. All of these things have significant impact on the image of the Dallas Mavericks, and of the National Basketball Association.

    In the 20 years before Cuban bought the team, the Mavs had a winning percentage of 40%, and playoff record of 21–32.In the ten years following, the team won 69% of their regular season games and reached the playoffs in each of those seasons. So, it could be said that Mark Cuban, despite all of his crazy antics, has actually improved the image of the Mavericks.

    -Fran Greene, Ari Nateman, Lacey Innman, Megan Regele

  • We’ve got Canes Fever!

    With October comes many things, the beginning of fall, Halloween, and one of my personal favorites, hockey season!  Granted, along with millions of other fans, I have been watching preseason games since September, but there is something indescribable about watching your favorite team play their first game of the season that I love.  This year was no different; I was so excited to watch my beloved Carolina Hurricanes play the Minnesota Wild that I had trouble sleeping the night before.

    Despite being a popular NHL franchise now, the ‘Canes haven’t always had the same following.  When the franchise first moved to North Carolina in 1996, their fan base was small.  Many people thought, “Hockey, in North Carolina?  Are you sure this is going to work?”  We aren’t exactly a state know for frigid temperatures and long winters typically associated with the ice sport.  This, coupled with the fact that the team played its first two seasons in Greensboro, a city somewhat out of the way for a sport that doesn’t have many followers and a team that doesn’t have many fans, proved to be a stumbling block.  Luckily, over the next few years the team’s success steadily increased, thanks in part to player improvement, relocating to Raleigh, and the efforts to spread the sport of hockey to North Carolina.

    Although winning the Stanley Cup for the 2005-2006 season helped to bolster the team’s fan base, the Hurricanes would not be where they are today without the efforts of the promotions and fan development department.  The department continually strives to promote and bring the sport of hockey to everybody.  They accomplish this through initiatives such as the organization, Canes Youth and Amateur Hockey (CYAH), an effort to get involved with youth hockey at all skill levels.  They also take advantage of in-game promotions including fun activities on and off the ice.  The team mascot, Stormy makes special visits to local schools and is available for parties and functions.  During games, the Storm Squad pumps up the crowd with cheers and entertainment.  The Storm Squad is also available for charity events and corporate outings.  Another unique promotional activity that the team uses is the Canes Cool Bar.  This is when the Carolina Ale House hosts a live broadcast during the game.  For fans who want to learn more about their favorite players, they can enroll in Hurricanes U, which provides students with a t-shirt, handbook, tickets to a Hurricanes game, and a graduation certificate.  Before every home game, one lucky fan gets to sound the Hurricanes Warning Siren, which signals the start of the game.  All of these promotional activities create a community for fans to come together and celebrate being Caniacs.

    Sarah McIntosh, Sean O’Connell, Eliza Wadson, Jocelyn Walson

  • The only thing better than America’s favorite past time: talking about America’s favorite past time

    Major league baseball has been known throughout history as America’s favorite past time. For years we have loved to watch the game over a hot dog, a cold beer, and pitchy (no pun intended) renditions of “take me out to the ball game.” Perhaps the only thing we love more than our beloved sport, is talking about it. Whether it’s getting pumped up with a pregame show, listening to the break down post game with our favorite news castors, or following the advertisements for our favorite teams play schedules, we love to talk about the game. In other words, we love sports communication!

    A good example of sports communication is seen in the hype leading up to the American League Championship game between the reigning Champion, New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers. (The winner of this game will play the winner of the National League Championship, either the Phillies or the Giants, in the World Series) Advertisements for the game flood sports bars, television ads, newspapers, magazines, and so on. The MLB website pumps up its viewer with its catchy advertising. The official site of the Texas Rangers excites its fans by head lining “Its Time!”  Complete with pictures, stats, and line ups, the website informs its fans who will be playing in the upcoming game and creates a connection with the fans that make them feel like they are a part of the game. The Yankees website displays a similar style head line with “Chase for the 28!” The flooding of advertising helps fans stay connected and feel like they are a part of the game. For this reason Major League Base ball spends millions of dollars every year in advertising to bring the game to life for its fans.

    With the game coming up advertisements will increase and fans will draw on the hype for excitement and anticipation. Advertisements like “Beware of things made in October” will excite fans and communicate the message that MBL is still America’s favorite past time and to take part in the historical game that we love.

     

    Lauren Smith