IMC Hawks Blog

Author: imcclass

  • UNCW Student Organizations’ Communication Efforts on Campus

    There are over 300 student organizations on UNCW’s Campus. A huge challenge these organizations face is getting the word out about their group. Luckily the Campus Activities and Involvement Center (CAIC) is there to assist their marketing efforts. For promotional items each group is provided with fifty buttons, five posters, fifty balloons, and fifty flyers per semester. CAIC also offers unlimited amounts of chalk for groups to write on the campus’ sidewalks and also unlimited cans of spray paint for groups to paint the two spirit rocks on campus.

    Another effective form of advertising provided by CAIC is the University’s banner poles. There are fifteen of these banner poles located outdoors and five located indoors. Organizations may submit twin sized sheets that they have painted and CAIC will hang them throughout campus. These promotional items allow organizations to share their message with the student body free of cost. In addition the office also offers involvement specialists to assist organizations around the clock.

    Alongside all of these promotional opportunities that CAIC offers there are also a variety of media outlets on campus that organizations can use to promote events. Teal TV is a broadcast news show hosted by UNCW students. The Seahawk is a campus wide newspaper written by UNCW students. Roomers is a newspaper written by Housing and Residence Life that is distributed throughout on-campus living facilities. There is also a monthly newsletter created just for student organizations. All of these are excellent sources for organizations to communicate with the rest of campus.

    By utilizing all of these resources provided by UNCW, student organizations can strategically market and advertise their groups.

    For more information about Campus Activities and Involvement Center, click here

    -Meghan French and Gracie Anderson

  • How Does UNCW Handle Communication?

    Within the University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a department which offers a full range of services for providing optimal communication and promotion of news and events regarding the university.  The UNCW Marketing and Communications (MaC) department works to enhance the image of the university and to increase its position among other higher education marketplaces by managing marketing, communication, public relations, media relations, community relations, and advertising strategies.  MaC also seeks to preserve the integrity of UNCW and its reputation for excellence through a variety of services such as crisis communication, event promotions, issues management, and marketing and research strategies. Furthermore, MaC takes charge of the management of corporate events and marketing communication activities, which is done in order to build strong relationships with key institutional stakeholders who are vital to the continued success of the university.

    Although many crisis situations potentially occur without warning, many situations can be anticipated or mitigated before they get out of hand.  This is where MaC comes in.  MaC helps facilitate and maintain an extensive and effective system of communication during a period when the university may be in a crisis due to a campus emergency or circumstances that threaten to integrity of the institution.  In the event that an emergency occurs such as a major tropical storm, hurricane, fire or some other campus or regional emergency, MaC is responsible for communicating with the faculty, staff, students, visitors, and external audiences in the community.  The Seahawk Siren System, the UNCW Emergency Information Hotline, the UNCW Alert Website, as well as mass text messages and e-mails, are all efficient forms of notifying people if there is an emergency on campus.

    Corporate communication is the foundation of UNCW’s success as a university, just as with any successful business.  When dealing with crisis on campus it is important that it is effectively and positively handled through the marketing and communications department, but it also is important that the students and faculty are in the know and able to efficiently deal with the crisis. Students and faculty may be the image of this university, but a great deal of work is accomplished by other staff members, who are vital its success.  The university has very similar responsibilities and obligations to their students as a corporation does to their employees.  Each must create a strong public appearance in order to draw students/employees, and must provide a favorable work environment in order to keep them from leaving for another, more desirable, school or company.  Furthermore, within the system of higher education, UNCW must compete with other colleges and universities if they wish to be successful, thus it is just as important to foster a strong corporate bearing which will maximize opportunities for funding and university advancement.

    – Arielle, Danielle, Haley and Lora

  • Beyonce: More than Just Bootylicious

    Corporate Communication is present in almost every industry, whether we recognize it or not.  One industry that many people would not typically associate corporate communication with is the music industry.  Musicians and artists create their own identity and brand themselves in a way that is different from others in the industry.  Beyonce is one artist who has been extremely successful at creating her own identity, which has helped her create a large fan base and expand her success into other industries.  Beyonce’s musical talent has earned her several Grammys and many of her albums have gone on to be multi-platinum selling albums. Beyonce states that her newest album “is the fun, more sensual, more aggressive, more outspoken side and more glamorous side that comes out when I’m working and when I’m on the stage. The double album allows me to take more risks and really step out of myself, or shall I say, step more into myself, and reveal a side of me that people only know me see.”

    When people hear Beyonce’s name, several things come to mind.  Jay-Z, Single Ladies, her dancing abilities, Destiny’s Child, her clothing line, and much more. Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly writes, “Beyonce Knowles is a storm system disguised as a singer.” She even has her own YouTube station. Beyonce is not only a musical sensation, she is a corporate powerhouse.

    Her clever strategies to success have gotten her where she is at today. Beyonce’s musical career has evolved into a huge corporation. She uses music to form her identity, image, and brand her corporation, which has opened up many other doors for her in the entertainment industry.  She has acted in films, created her own fashion line, and been on countless magazine covers.

    She was recently featured in a 60 minutes news brief talking about her success as an entertainer. Take a look.

    House of Dereon is Beyonce and her mother Tina Knowles’ clothing line that they began in 2004. Expanding the brand, Beyoncé and her sister Solange Knowles  launched the junior line Deréon that is geared towards younger consumers and is more reasonably priced. Deréon was introduced in 2006. The tag line for Deréon is “Where the sidewalk and catwalk meet”. Beyoncé also mentions the clothing line in the song Get Me Bodied, from the album B’Day, and in her hit single Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).

    Beyonce\’s House of Dereon

    -Megan, Fran, Lacey, and Ari

  • Jimmy Buffett: An Example of Corporate Communication in Music

    Music has long been a part of our society. It can tell stories, showcase creativity and open the window to a person’s soul. Music can also showcase aspects of corporate communication through the narrative it creates. Our group has defined corporate communication as the process through which an organization uses symbols to get its message across. Symbols can be found within music and our group chose one particular musician whose lyrics have generated considerable influence and have offered plenty of symbols representing himself and society.
    The musician who we think best represents corporate communication is Jimmy Buffett. Mr. Buffett is an individual whose music and lyrics have generated a fan base of millions and created a lucrative franchise market. Jimmy Buffett’s musical style blends tropical, country, pop and rock to create a genre known as gulf and western, which appeals to a broad range of music lovers. His tunes emphasize easy living and idyllic life on the seaside. In the past, Buffett has cultivated the image of a cheerful beachcomber. Jimmy Buffett still maintains his happy, carefree lifestyle to this day and his fans continue to show unwavering loyalty.
    Mr. Buffett’s fans are affectionately known as Parrotheads (I, Sean, happen to be one). I have had the pleasure of attending two concerts in my life and I have gotten a glimpse of the Parrothead culture. Concert attendees wear wild and outlandish getups to show their devotion to Jimmy Buffet. These outfits include Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, animal outfits (typically parrots and sharks), and leis. There is widespread tailgating prior to concerts, which includes barbecues and margaritas. This idea of a Parrothead culture gives fans a way to express themselves and identify with Buffett’s music and all that it stands for. Here is a visual aid: Attending a Jimmy Buffett concert is something that is not easily forgotten.
    Aside from his concerts, Jimmy Buffett has other business ventures. He has built his brand to include several best-selling novels, he owns his own beer line, and he even has his own station on Sirius Radio. He also owns two restaurant chains consisting of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise (named after two of his songs). These restaurants have a distinct feel to them that is easily recognizable upon entrance. The restaurants include gift shops where customers can purchase memorabilia with all of their favorite Jimmy Buffet sayings. Buffett demonstrates corporate social responsibility through his support of conservation. He has performed charity concerts, including his most recent one at the Gulf Coast after the oil spill. Buffett has built up a large empire through his music and franchising and he continues to do what earned him this success in the first place; perform concerts all across the globe.
    From a corporate communication standpoint, Buffett uses music to create a narrative for his brand. His lyrics contain symbols of his lifestyle, his experiences and his views on society, which his fans can relate to. He has continued to communicate his message to a tremendous collection of people through his books, restaurants and merchandise. The Parrotheads not only represent stakeholders, but they are also loyal followers who demonstrate just how much enthusiasm people can have in response to a unique message. Buffet has always had considerable influence and his music will continue to communicate his message for years to come.

    If anyone would like to listen to the song that started it all, check out this Youtube video: and keep searching for that lost shaker of salt!

    Eliza, Jocelyn, Sarah, Sean

  • Lights… Camera… Corporate Communication!

    The Video Music Awards on MTV is one of the most celebrated nights in American pop culture and media. Whether it’s the high fashion, the camera and lights, or the thought of our favorite entertainers under one roof, America loves watching and being a part of the VMAs. In order to integrate the public into the voting process and give them the feeling that they are a part of the show, the use mass media was present this year to reach millions of viewers at a time. MTV helped get people involved by the use of cell phones, Facebook, twitter, etc. It was reported that even during the show stars like  Katy Perry, Rhianna, and Lady Gaga were tweeting messages to their followers. This mode of mass media allows the public to feel connected with not only the show, but their favorite stars as well. It bridges the gap between fantasy and reality and causes the audience to become a part of the show and rock-star lifestyle.

    This idea is just as important in Corporate Communication. Instead of being based on entertainers and fans, the idea revolves around businesses and their clients, customers, and publics. Businesses use mass media in order to reach more people and help them to become a part of, or feel connected to, a company’s public narrative. Many companies are using the same mass media outlets as those in pop culture, such as Facebook, twitter, texting, and so on. This helps them reach a wider audience and gets their public more involved. The use of mass media helps bridge the communication gap between an organization or business and its publics. Whether for pop culture purposes, such as the VMAs, or promoting an organization or business, mass media can help create positive and consistent communication with an organization and its audience.

    To watch the VMAs, click here.

    Breanna Alexander
    Lauren Dehart
    Lauren Smith
    Kelly Wiley

  • iBlog

    We would bet that not many people can think about listening to music, downloading music, or finding new music without the words iTunes or iPod coming to mind. This is because the entire “i” generation of Apple has become a revolution in the way we use, listen and think about music. Consumer affairs is a vital part of Corporate Communications and no one does it better than Apple.

    iTunes has everything you need to fulfill your music, TV and movies wants. You find and download your new favorite songs through iTunes. Once you have them, you don’t make a mix CD of songs (although you could) but instead, you make a playlist and add that playlist to your iPod. Apple has made downloading and listening music so easy and interactive that other mediums such as Limewire and MP3 players are in no comparison. Obviously, if you were to want a phone that can also hold all of your music, most people would immediately think of the iPhone. Apple listens to what their consumer’s desire and they deliver it in the most user-friendly way possible.

    iTunes has evolved drastically over the years. Your iTunes account is now your own personalized website with everything tailored to you. It’s your music, your library, your playlist and with the use of Integrated Marketing Communications, iTunes uses research to gather information about you and in turn, makes recommendations for music you might like based on what you have purchased in the past.

    Apple is constantly on top of the music revolution not only by improving their own products but by creating new consumer benefits. Apple has recently released Ping which, if you download the newest version of iTunes, is a social network and music hybrid. Ping allows you to follow your favorite artists and friends to see what they are listening to and downloading.

    With Apple’s uncanny ability to anticipate consumer needs, its reputation as the leader in music services has remained consistent to its brand identity.

    -Meghan, Emily, Gracie, Wade

  • “Jamming Out to the Tune of Corporate Communication”

    Corporate communication can be found anywhere and everywhere. Where it lies this week is within the music industry. The music industry is a complex formulated system that is very much stakeholder oriented. One of the biggest music based corporations is Sony Music Entertainment. Sony Music Entertainment is an international recorded music company which features many of the top labels around today; those including Arista, Epic, Legacy, Columbia, RCA, and Jive. They have signed many of the top artists of the music scene. Sony Music Entertainment depends on their stakeholders for the success of their company and the success of their artists. A strategic strong communication strategy is essential for music corporations to survive.

    Sony’s ability to balance the music industry and its product line is impeccable. Although we as consumers do not have an insiders perspective of their communication strategy, the company makes it blatantly obvious. Take for instance Justin Timberlake’s appearance in a recent commercial for an addition that was made to the Sony VAIO laptop. It’s new media gallery has instantly become it’s main selling point, and all of this is done solely because of Timberlake’s presence in the commercial. Sony has developed a selling point for their products based on what the stakeholders of the company want: entertainers and artists. Of course, if Justin wants it, then so do I.

    To see the commercial click here.

    Since being founded in 1946, Sony has demonstrated that it has the ability to enhance people’s lives through its products.  Today, Sony still continues to fuel industry growth through the innovation of new products.  As a company, Sony Music Entertainment has a reputation for producing innovative products of exceptional quality and value.  Sony makes sure communication campaigns are formed and conducted on a strategic platform basis to ensure that its products gain exposure to consumers.  Currently, the Sony VAIO, has been gaining a massive amount of exposure not only from it’s commercials, but also due to the product placement appearances in television shows.

    It is safe to say that music, not corporate communication, is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sony Music Entertainment.  However, it is obvious that they focus highly on their reputation and the ways in which they market their products to specific audiences and how they value their stakeholders.  Their image has remained consistent with their work as they have continued to grow and prosper.  This is yet another example of how many aspects of an organization are, in essence, corporate communication.  Whether you are a die hard Sony fanatic or not, you have to admit that their prominent place in the music industry and the ways in which they have gotten there are extremely impressive.

    -Lora, Arielle, Danielle, Haley