IMC Hawks Blog

Category: Communication Studies

  • As our time comes to a close…

    Looking back at my time on the campus of UNCW, it seems like just yesterday when I was walking the halls of the Graham/Hewlett dorms and trying to find my way to my Freshman Seminar class. Even though the next stage of my life begins after the commencement ceremony on December 11th, I will take with me everything that I have learned over the course of my time here.

    From book-smarts to street-smarts, I have come so far since move-in day. Maneuvering around campus was my first challenge, confusing the Warwick center with Wagner dining hall at least twice. Conquering Chemistry was next, because by the end of the course I somehow managed a B+ in the class (which seemed almost as exciting as winning the lottery at that point). Rushing a sorority was both nerve-racking and exhilarating, and also brought me to some of the best friends I have ever had in my life. Living in the dorms and suites my freshman and sophomore years taught me to both love the carefree lifestyle and appreciate good hygiene at the same time. Once I decided the major for me was Communications, I encountered Research Methods ( COM 200)… and oh did my view of my “study habits” change. All nighters in Randall Library a few nights before projects and exams just wasn’t going to cover it anymore, and thank goodness for the lesson well learned. Once I passed the gateway, it was on to Strategic Writing, IMC and theories galore. From marketing and branding to personal finance and interracial communication, and even how to analyze a companies’ health, I have developed as a person through all of the courses and experiences I have had on UNCW’s campus.

    Reflecting on my life in college is a bittersweet task, because although I am so excited to start a career of my own, I am hesitant to leave the college life I am so accustomed to and sad to be moving on from UNCW. As I finish my capstones, and even this Corporate Communication course, I feel ready to take on everything that I will encounter in the future. Not only do I have so many memories created with friends, but with the faculty and staff of this university as well. I truly can say that I lived my life to the fullest while in college at UNCW, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to do so.

    So after everything is said and done, Im excited to see what the future holds for me. I feel that I am ready to take the next step, and am confident that my time here at UNCW has prepared me for what lies ahead. Because like Dr. Seuss said:

    “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”

    – Lora Hampton

  • Corporate Communication: Then and Now

    Corporate Communication began in the early 1900’s during the time the United States was mass producing and consuming products.  Today, we have a market that is based more on supply and demand, not solely in bulk amounts.  Communication practitioners have had to alter the way their discipline is managed.  As far back as the start of the 1900’s, practitioners in the field of public relations, marketing and publicists were employed by corporations.  A lot of these jobs entailed playing the “gullible” card in order for the corporation to manipulate the public.

    In the 1930’s “writers, publicists and advertising agents were needed on a more continuous basis” rather than temporary jobs.  Shortly thereafter, marketing and public relations became two distinct professions.  For decades, these two were looked at differently.  During the 1980’s, they began to be looked at together again under the same umbrella due to so many similarities

    The world of corporate communication has changed over the course of the past century, and will continue to change.  With the field of technology advancing by the hour, this will drastically change the role of marketing and public relations practitioners.  The growing popularity of smart phones, twitter, blogs, etc. will continue to rise and connect people and the field of communication must also continue to keep the pace with these advances.

    Breanna Alexander

    Lauren Dehart

    Lauren Smith

    Kelly Wiley

  • Finding Our Place

    As a college student and a Communication Studies major I know I have spent a fair amount of time imagining where exactly my skill set will fit in the workplace after college.  Different students within the major will all take different things from each course as our perceptions and intentions will inevitably vary.  We went around the classroom at the beginning of the semester like we always do in college, in order to introduce everyone and tell the class a little bit about ourselves.  One of the things we were prompted to tell the class is what we wanted to do when we finish school.  There were countless different responses and career fields that were mentioned; I told the class that I wanted to be an entrepreneur.  I mention this to provide some context as to how I interpret the class.  If my interest were in PR, then I would be drawn toward different aspects of the course and the information it offered.

    Through working together as a class to interpret our textbook and bring to life our definition of corporate communication, I was brought a lot of peace.  It became more evident to me that the things we practice every day as Communication Studies majors are some of the things that have stood out in the progress made by excellent organizations, and likewise in their absence have contributed to the decline of good companies.  I am talking about leading others, working in groups, and analyzing scenarios in order to not only identify problem areas but suggest sound, thought-out solutions.  Being able to measure and interpret things which only exist within our day to day experiences is a skill that will no doubt set me apart as a valuable asset.

    What do I know?  How do I know it?  How can I use it?

    All questions that when implemented correctly can guide a company and a person to success.

    Wade Boteler

  • Corporate Communication Wrap Up

    As our time in the Corporate Communication classroom comes to a close, the information and knowledge that we have gained will continue with us as we each venture out after graduation into our desired career field.  Among the class of communication majors are students interested in event planning, public relations, integrated marketing communication and advertising, just to name a few.  Corporate communication is involved in all of these industries.  As stated in Corporate Communication: a guide to theory and practice by Joep Cornelissen, one of our required readings for the course, “Corporate communication is a management function that offers a framework for the effective coordination of all internal and external communication with the overall purpose of establishing and maintaining favorable reputations with stakeholder groups upon which the organization is dependent.”

    When the course first started back in August, not a single student in the class knew what the definition of corporate communication was.  Even though everyone registered to take the class, no one really had an idea of what it entailed.  Today, every student in the class has a definition of corporate communication, as well as plenty of detailed and background information that will give people a better understanding of the topic.  A big improvement from three months ago, wouldn’t you agree?

    We have covered a variety of forms of corporate communication that take place in sports, music, movies, politics, crisis management and careers this semester.  We have learned that communication is essential when it comes to an organization’s corporate image and identity, reputation, stakeholders and shareholders.  We have learned what makes a company go from good to great, the characteristics of a great company and why every company should strive to become one.  We hope we have left everyone with a better understanding of corporate communication.

    REMINDER! This week is NBC’s Green Week!  Green Week runs from November 14-21.  All this week, green topics will be featured into news and your favorite shows on the NBC network, such as 30 Rock and The Office, as well as special reports, fundraisers and documentaries.  Join NBC in celebrating the numerous ways that you can make a difference in the environment.

    -Danielle Dorantich

  • Corporate Christmas?

    Holidays are usually perceived as a happy, carefree time of year, however, when reaching the holiday season corporations have to discuss and agree upon the appropriate way to acknowledge the different holidays. This is especially true in public school systems. In a school system such as a catholic school it is to be expected which holidays will be celebrated and even taught. However, in the case of UNCW, a public, non-denominational university special considerations must be made in order to not offend or exclude different beliefs. Instead of putting up specific decorations UNCW puts up things like wreaths with pretty red bows and some simple white lights. In my opinion they do a very tasteful and appropriate display of festivity without any favoring of a certain holiday or religion.

    This same phenomena can be seen in large business setting corporations. Many times instead of Merry Christmas you will see “Happy Holidays” or instead of hosting a Christmas party it will be titled as a Holiday Party. This sensitivity to others beliefs is respected in the office I work in, instead of sending Christmas cards to the donors and committee members the secretary sends out Thanksgiving cards that are very general and just say how appreciative our office is of our donors.

    This is not to say that the holidays are overlooked. There are still things such as holiday grab-a-dates, tacky Christmas sweater parties, decorations, holiday breaks from school, delicious food and even some festive weather to look forward to!
    -Emily Hunter

  • The Scream Heard Around the Internet

    Is it possible for one harmless incident to cost someone a job? Or completely end someone’s career? Or even take them out of the running for a political position? Social media within corporations or politics allows information to spread like wildfire, which is sometimes helpful and makes campaigning easier less expensive, more sustainable and all around more effective.  In Howard Dean’s case however while running for the Democratic candidate one noise (it wasn’t even a word) may have cost him the presidency:

    Here is the original clip of Howard Dean during his Rally:

    Here’s one of many mixes and edits to his rally.  This example is an edited version of the rally with political candidate Dean Howard’s “Byahh” with a techno beat.

    Here is a spinoff that Comedian Dave Chappell did on one of his episodes which appeared on comedy central.  It later had hundreds of spinoffs and clips from it on Youtube spreading like wildfire.

    Now here’s an example of when the satire even gets poked fun at and with almost 400,000 views on Youtube many people know Dean Howard for the one instance where he said “BYAHHHH”

    After seeing these examples, it is truly possible for ones reputation to be tarnished by only one action thanks to the viral ability of social media websites combined with youtube.  Would this have been the case 20 years ago? Even 5 years ago I don’t see one little harmless action like this having such a detrimental effect making one wonder if social media is really entirely good for politics?

     -Ari Nateman

  • It’s all Greek to me…

    The success of a political campaign is rooted in its ability to inspire its audience to believe in their politician’s leadership. They do this through signs, television commercials, various media outlets, newspapers, flyers, and perhaps the most effective means; speech.

    The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, divided the art of rhetorical persuasion into three categories: ethos, pathos, and logos.  Ethos appeals to one’s credibility. In others words, how believable and trustworthy is the speaker? Pathos inspires an emotional response in the audience. It establishes a connection with the speaker and their audience. Logos is how, for lack of a better word, logical and verifiable the message of the speaker resonates with the audience. These three rhetorical devices are used by successful politicians to persuade their potential voters and audiences to support their campaign.

    When a speaker successfully employs these rhetorical devices they can be a effective speaker. This could be seen in the Obama/McCain elections and the current local elections happening now. Obama was successful in his use the ancient Greek method of persuasion and therefore won the elections. At the end of our local elections it will be evident who the successful speakers were and who failed to implement Aristotle’s methods of persuasion.

    What made you vote the way you did? Was their positions on topics enough or did they have to persuade you to believe them? Let us know!

    Breanna Alexander

    Lauren Dehart

    Lauren Smith

    Kelly Wiley