Personal Branding at Its Worst

I haven’t had time to search around for topics for my blog. However, today was different.

I was reading my favorite gossip blog, PerezHilton.com and came across a posting that can be used as an example of personal branding. The post was a video taken by a employee (well ex-employee) of Domino’s Pizza showing her co-worker (who was also fired) doing disgusting things to the customer’s food (see video if you can stomach it). 

I am not a big fan of Domino’s, however after watching this video, I will definitely stay away. Of course they were fired. Not just because of what they did to the products. But for also branding the corporation in a negative way by using social media. We have to remember that we are in a new age of how information is being passed to one another and how we are portraying ourselves, whether it is offline or online.

It is very clear that they didn’t know the effect of posting a video on YouTube. And now this video will follow them for the rest of their lives. It may disappear from YouTube, but I am sure someone has uploaded it and re-distributed through another online video outlet. Because of this, Domino’s has some damage control to do in order to keep customers coming back. 

I thought the situation with the individual who lost her job offer because of what she said on Twitter would’ve showed how important it is to watch what you are saying or posting on the internet. Hopefully, this situation will make the overall message clear to everyone now. 

Remember, you are being watched 24/7 online.

Look Mom… I Got My License!

I got my license! My drivers license. That little piece of laminated card with my face and name on it. Now I can drive myself through the new media world with ease. In the last ten weeks of this class I have learned:

• To create and write my own blog
• Use online tools like Twitter and Facebook to promote myself and my blog page
• How to use traditional PR with new media to disburse information to the public, such as PR.com and www.free-press-release.com
• The basics of search engine optimization and how it can be properly used as a promotional tactic for any online content that I have
• How to fully immerse myself into the online world

I have written a lot of posts about the New Media Drivers License class at Michigan State University. And there is a reason why I did this. Not because it was required (which is was), but because this was one of the few classes I have taken at my four years at MSU where I was not only learning the information, but had fun learning it and was excited to tell anyone who was listening about what I learned from the class. I know this class will continue on as a regular class in the Advertising, PR, Retailing department at MSU. 

The books were very helpful also. I plan to re-read them. You always miss something when you read a book the first time.

For my final presentation on my last day of class, I will talk about one thing that I am focusing my other time on: job hunting. How can new media help you find a job? Well I will talk about next week. I will ask those I have connected with this question and will write a blog soon. 

So what’s next for me? I will continue to blog. I will move my blog page to my own domain (www.lisaatufunwa.com). This move to a new domain will happen very soon, so expect a short posting about the new page!

Well, I am off to test-drive my license. Until next time.

It’s A Whole New World

Yesterday I attended the Speed Networking event at MSU. Speed Networking is like speed dating, but your meeting and networking with professionals. I got to meet professionals from the fields of advertising, public relations, communication, and marketing. An overall advice from some of the professionals I met was that getting involved with digital media is important. Aspects of the traditional world is becoming intertwined with the new media world. It’s becoming faster to share the news, videos and pictures around the world. Individuals don’t have to wait to check their e-mail on their computers; they can receive it at a touch of a button on their phone or mp3 player (for those who have Wi-Fi capabilities on their players). You don’t have to be face-to-face to connect with another person. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking Web sites make it to where you can network with other professionals, potential clients or with someone of similar interests and hobbies. In essence, it is becoming vital to become a part of this new world.

There are some who are already transition into this new world. There are those who know about it but are hesitant to joint and then there are those who are either confused or don’t know anything about it, and it’s nothing to be ashamed about or viewed as a negative thing. Regardless of where your level of expertise on new media is, you may still have some things to learn about this world.

In my second post, I talked about a class that I was taking this semester called New Media Drivers License, which is being taught by Derek Mehraban. I am having a lot of fun in this class! I am also learning new things about new media that I didn’t know before. Taking this class will not only help me make a presence in the new media world but also become marketable to companies that I apply to for a job. This class has helped me with both. 

If you are trying to find your online voice, a professional who is trying to learn new public relations tactics, or just want to learn the basics, ADV 492 – New Media Drivers License is a class you need to take. So, if you’re in the state of Michigan and have two Saturdays to give up, then you should enroll. You will not be disappointed. To learn more about the class and see some of the assignments, go to the website and check it out. Also, go to the Facebook group, New Media Drivers License. 

If you’re already set and going to enroll for next semester, check out chrisg.com, a website that talks about the basics of new media.

Find Me Online – Social Networking

 

Lisa Atufunwa's Facebook

Social networking has become a very popular the past couple of years. I first began using social networking sites when I signed up for an account on BlackPlanet.com when I was in the 7th grade. During that time, it was more about meeting new people and keeping in touch with friends. On my Blackplanet profile page, I added pictures of my favorite music artists, talked about my interests, and gave personal shoutouts to my closest friends. Then, my interests on social networking sites were to meet new people with common interests, like music, movies, and sports.

 

Today, I continue creating profiles on social networking sites, but my interests on these sites have changed from when I was in middle school. I use sites like Facebook or Myspace to network with those who are in the entertainment, sports, and public relations/advertising industries. Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are becoming more a way to connect with professionals, whether it is to network to build your list of clients or to connect with someone who can help you with finding a job. I currently “tweet” about the opportunities I have with PRSSA, school, work, and my quest to finding a entry-level position in public relations. I also use LinkedIn as a way to connect with more professionals who may not have a Facebook or Twitter account. In addition, it can serve as a mini online resume. 

If you have a Twitter account, you can follow me @lisaatufunwa. To see some of my experiences, view my LinkedIn page. And you can always Facebook me (when you are adding me, add the one with just “Lisa Atufunwa.” The other Lisa is my cousin’s wife). I am open to meeting new people. I believe that everyone is here to teach you something or help you out. So, don’t hesitate to find me online. Can’t wait to connect with you.

Lisa Atufunwa's Twitter Page

 

 

Till next time.