Assignment #2: Air Jordan XX3

Step One:
Jordan Brand Launches Air Jordan XX3: Celebrating 23 Years of a Legacy.
http://www.nikebiz.com/media/pr/2008/01/08_Jordan23.html

Step Two:
Michael Jordan has just released the 23rd edition of the shoe that helped make him an international icon. Nike wrote a press release about the shoe on January 8, 2008 and it was just a day later that Vibe.com wrote an article about the new release of the legendary shoe.

The Vibe article, Air Jordan 23 by Linda Hobbs, spoke of the street credibility that the shoe gave each individual. It recalls of days when my generation would have a fresh pair of Jordans on at school and put them in the box at the end of the day to keep them nice and clean. According to the article the Jordan shoe has become classic; so classic as to compare it to the wearing of a fitted New York baseball cap. The article continues its praise of the shoe by announcing the Jordan xx3’s design ethos which uses only eco friendly materials. His Airness himself, Michael Jordan said, “The AIR JORDAN XX3 is deeply meaningful to me, as a celebration of both my life and career, The number 23 is obviously of great significance to me and the release of the XX3 is a pinnacle moment in the Brand’s history. I’m honored and humbled by the AIR JORDAN franchise’s loyal following after all these years. The release of this shoe is exciting and a dream come true for me.”

This article was very positive and gave the Jordan brand positive press through this article. They chose to focus on the feelings and emotions that go with buying and owning a pair of Jordans and recalled the emotions of what it was like wearing a pair of these shoes as a kid. They mentioned the eco friendly approach that Nike is now promoting, which really connects with our “global warming” society today. The Jordan brand should be very pleased with the release of this news story because it was most likely read by those people interested in the shoe. Vibe magazine is an entertainment magazine geared towards young people who enjoy hip-hop, sports, Hollywood, and fashion. Concluding the article, the author praised Michael Jordan by writing, “Jordan comes from a long line of athletes who have launched successful and unsuccessful kicks, but many are called— few are chosen.”


Jordan Brand Celebrates 23 Historic Years of AIR JORDAN Franchise in the ''Big Easy''
This article was written on February 16, 2008 during the NBA’s ALL-Star weekend. Jordan Brand had a special party to celebrate the release of the Jordan XX3 basketball shoe. The party included celebrities such as Gabrielle Union and Chris Tucker along with current and legendary basketball players such as, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Rip Hamilton, Ray Allen, Joe Johnson, Kevin Durant, and Magic Johnson. Michael Jordan took advantage of the occasion to celebrate this milestone in his career, which made this the most coveted party of All-Star weekend. Music and African dancing entertained the crowed as Jazz hits were mixed with new age beats by a live DJ.

This article was very positive and gave the new Jordan XX3 great promotion for its release. Since the article, the shoe has been released and is retailing for about $200. The article called the Air Jordans “the greatest basketball shoe ever,” which is believed by many basketball players and shoe enthusiast. This was a very timely release for the new shoe which made it possible for Carmelo Anthony, a member of Team Jordan, to don the Jordan XX3 during the All-Star game. There was nothing but great press for the Jordan Brand well as the release of the JordanXX3.

Step 3:
I thought that this was a very good project. I learned a lot about press releases and the effect that they can have, both negative and positive. I first had the intention of looking up a press release from a company I have worked closely with recently as an intern. I did find a couple recent press releases, but did not find any articles that were influenced by the press release. I then chose a larger company, Sprint Nextel, but non of their press releases were very interesting and it seemed as though they were writing press releases for everything that went on with the company. It was not uncommon to find a few press releases from Sprint Nextel each day. I realized that if too many press releases are done at one time then it’s more unlikely that a story be written about it. It’s kind of like the boy who cried wolf. He cried wolf so many times that when there really was a wolf no one believed him. The same goes with news. No one will look your way if everyday you cry “News! News!” Finally I remembered that Michael Jordan had just come out with his new shoe and was curious how many stories were produced from the press release.

I went to Nike.com and went to their press release section. I immediately found what I was looking for. There was a list of press release, including the one I was looking for. The title of the press release is, Jordan Brand Launches Air JordanXX3: Celebrating 23 Years of a Legacy. After I read the press release, I looked for articles inspired by the release on google. I found a list of articles including one by Vibe.com, an online version of their magazine. To my surprise, the Vibe article was written and posted a day after the press release. The article was clearly relevant to the press release. Quotes from the release were used in the article, which praised the Jordan Brand for its success in making a legendary basketball shoe.

The second article I read was about a month after the press release, but clearly used information from the press release in the article. This article however, added another element to the release of the Jordan XX3. The reason for the delay in publishing this article was because the writer wanted to include the party at All-Star weekend in the announcement of the new shoe. This was a very good way of using the information in the press release and holding onto it until it could become an even bigger story. Unlike the Vibe article, this article included visual descriptions of the event and the excitement at the party concerning the release of the Jordan XX3.
By the end of the assignment I was able to more fully understand the effectiveness of a press release and the strategies behind writing one. I was able to see how quotes were used and the importance of them being effective and believable. This press release was very good and sparked a lot of interest which will help the Jordan XX3 be successful as its predecessors have been.

Intro to PR #1

When I graduate, I hope to return to my home town of San Diego and work with a company called Strategic Vision. Strategic Vision is a advertising research company that has proved its success in the automotive industry. I am currently working as an intern with the company and am aware of their future plans to expand the company. I know that I can help Strategic Vision use the same principles they used in the automotive industry and apply it to other industries around the world. I am fluent in Spanish and am half Latino with roots coming from El Salvador. Many of the syndicated surveys that they have produced and used in the automotive industry in the U.S are only in English. I can Translate those surveys for them into Spanish so they can broaden their consumer reach and expand across the Latin American boarders. I would eventually like to be the Public Relations Representative for Strategic Vision’s Latin American department. By first using the Spanish version of the surveys in the United States, they can see how successful it could be across South America. By hiring me I can translate the surveys and present them to Latin American industries which would expand Strategic Vision’s company immensely. Strategic Vision is a multi million dollar company that could easily be a billion dollar company by expanding its production into Latin America.

I feel that I could make a contribution to any organization who is willing and ready to take their market to Latin America. Any U.S based company or organization with a vision of spreading their market across all American boarders will only strengthen its reputation and increase its worth. However, the ideas of expansion must be implemented here in the U.S to insure quality marketing before it is expanded. Establishing a relationship with Latin American Consumers could easily be done by hiring bilingual PR representatives who understand the culture of the consumers and the objectives of the organization. Hiring bilingual Public Relations specialists like myself will only broaden consumer loyalty, expand marketing and production, and increase the value of an organization.

According to the U.S Department of Labor, “Public relations specialists held about 243,000 jobs in 2006. They are concentrated in service-providing industries such as advertising and related services; health care and social assistance; educational services; and government.” The job market is very competitive in the PR field and will only continue to grow because of the increase of entry level positions being filled by college graduates. A bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations including an internship is recommended before applying for a position in public relations with any organization. However, a job candidate with all of those credentials including experience with another culture who is bilingual is something that any aspiring organization should want. How many of the 243,000 PR specialists in 2006 were bilingual? How many of those 243,000 influenced the Latin American market in that year? The United States is now home to some 42,688,000 Latinos which is now the second largest population by race in the U.S after white Americans (infoplease.com). With a growing population of Latinos in the U.S it is essential for any organization to begin hiring bilingual PR specialists who in time can expand the Latin market to Central and South America.

Output Goals:
1. I will call Strategic Vision directly and invite them to look at the ideas I’ve written.
2. I will offer to translate anything they need into Spanish so they can reach the Latin community.
3. I will offer to show them the research I have done on my own time that could help them in the future and greatly benefit their company.
Impact Goals:
1. Strategic Vision will evaluate the ideas I gave them and offer me a job when I graduate.
2. We will open the Latin market in syndicated research study and move our success to Latin America.
3. Strategic Vision will become a billion dollar company well known around north and south America.

Talking points:
1. I’m Bilingual
2. I set and achieve my goals.
3. I’m personable and trustworthy.

Netiquette

The Internet has created a new culture and way of life. Chat rooms, online dating, business and social networking along blogging have created a culture outside of the world around us. I remember when AOL came out with the instant messenger and everyone in middle school had an account. I remember many times how people were so cruel online and would say things they normally wouldn't say face to face. Maybe it was just our maturity level, but I think that as times has gone on that we've come to understand the cyber culture that we all helped create. We must remember that speaking to someone online doesn't excuse foul language or remarks. All of the etiquettes that we use in everyday life should also apply to the internet. It's not rocket science, but sometimes we need to be reminded that there are others looking at what we say online. I just created a new myspace account and was very surprised to have received a nasty invitation to view some inappropriate pictures. I understand that the web has everything that the real world has, but it makes me upset how much easier it is for the wrong people to contact and offend you. The internet is a great tool that we must use wisely and with proper etiquette.

Email Etiquette

Understanding the etiquette of writing and responding to an email in this day and age is very important.Email is one of the fastest and most convenient ways of communicating, especially in the business world. I don't know how a company would survive if it doesn't apply the simple etiquettes of writing emails. I'm actually doing an internship with a company in San Diego and our entire communication is based on emails. I have found through this online internship that responding to emails in a timely manner and with all of the information needed is very important. There have been times when I've been asked to have an assignment finished an emailed within the next 48 hours. In the business world, there is no time for excuses and mistakes, and email etiquette should be something that everyone should be aware of.

PNS 11: USU Van Accident

Practice News Story 11: USU Van Accident

November 28,2008

Jason Rogers

Logan, UTAH- A 15-passenger-van carrying 11 Utah State University Students rolled out of control on south bound I-84 at around 4 p.m. Yesterday. The students along with their instructor, Evan Parker, were thrown from the vehicle after an apparent mechanical malfunction occurred with the vehicle. The students were on their way back from a field trip to Tremonton where they went to look at a agricultural machinery combine as a department field trip.

Utah Highway Patrol Leutanant Jason Jensen was the first trooper on the scene. According to his account, 9 passengers where unconscious at the scene and two were counciouse. Seven were later pronounced dead at the scene with four survivors taken to near by hospitols for medical treatment. Their conditions are still undisclosed.

“Their bodies where everywhere ... literally just scattered around the area,” said Leutant Jensen as he described what he encountered as he entered the scene.

Former USU student and friend of professor Parker, Kyle Holden, was driving next to the vehicle as it rolled off to the shoulder. He describes this as “One of the worst things I've ever seen in my life.”

Dean of Agriculture Noel Cockett had this to say about the accident of her students. “This is certainly something that will effect many students. They've got many friends ... really, this is one of the best classes that we've had. This is something that is going to hit the hearts of many people.”

practice news story 10: Investigative

Practice News Story 10: Investigative
November 14, 2007
Jason Rogers
Logan,UT-Bill and Melinda Gates, the first family of Microsoft, and Ted Turner, media mogul and philanthropist, recently flew together on a private Jet to Nigeria, Africa. Each are involved in global health and education with there respective foundations, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and The Ted Turner Foundation Inc. Ted turner has also donated much of his funds to the United Nations foundation which continues to help third world countries around the globe.
The Mayor of the capital Abuja, Nigeria, the capital city, reported to have had many conversations with the Foundations beginning about 3 to 4 months ago with representatives and recently with the Gates' and Ted Turner. Mayor Malik Ok said, “We have interest in raising education in my city,” and when asked we he thought the Foundations have come to help him, he responded, “I truly believe they have our interest in heart. After reaching out to the world community, we were approached by these two foundations.” These foundations will attempt to hold workshops and teach people about health education topics such as polio, HIV, AIDS, pneumonia, malaria, and other deadly diseases that plague Africa today. The foundations' representatives will serve as the educators while local representatives will be taught to teach the workshops. Mayor Ok hopes that in 10 years the project can be fully supported and funded by it's government.

Bill Gates was reached momentarily for comment and confirmed the reports. “We are going to focus on health education ... we will have an official news conference on the matter in 2-3 months.”

Practice News Story 8: Sports

Practice News Story: Sports

November 7, 2007

10:00 am MT

Jason Rogers

Salt Lake City, UT- The Utah Jazz came out with the victory last night winning 106-99 against the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers last night at Energy Solutions Arena. After coming off of a devastating loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, where All Star Kobe Bryant blocked what would have been the game winning shot. Forward, Andrei Kirilenko took that to heart and contributed a record setting 21 blocks to last night's victory. Many of his blocks came while guarding LeBron James.

“He moves fast,” Kirilenko said about Lebron, “ Luckily I had a lot of energy in this game.” Energy must have been what gave AK-47 his 21 blocks combined with 21 points on the night.

Jazz Head Coach Jerry Sloan still feels that there is room for improvement. “Andrie had a great game. Some of our other guys have to step it up.” There were 8 ties throughout the game, however the Jazz never trailed once. Paul Millsap contributed with 12 points, C.J Miles had 15 points, and Boozer added 29 points to the scoreboard while pulling down 7 rebounds.

LeBron had 28 points of his own and said this after the game. “The crowd in Utah is one of the loudest. The crowd took us out of the game more than anything. We just couldn't close it out at the end.” When asked about Kirilenko's Performance he added, “He deserves to be an All-Star ... I left myself open and payed the price."