Online Reputation

TO: Michon Winget

FROM: Shaelee Barker

DATE: Dec. 8, 2009

Subject: Online Reputation

Due to the fact that Michon does not have a very common name when I searched her name in google I was able to easily sort through her online information since all of the top links were associated with Michon. Although it was easy to find Michon’s information that was public was mainly her professional work.

The first link that came up on google was Michon’s facebook page so we can tell that she is associated with social networking online. However, her page is private so all we can see is a classy close-up photo.

Michon’s online blog tells that she is a public relations student at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. She is a junior and has a lot of her work this year posted on her blog. On one of her posts she added that her email address was michon@wingetfamily.com and her phone number is 801-809-5861. This information could be factual or made up depending on how much information she wants the public to know.

Michon was also featured in the Hard News Café for one of her writing pieces. She wrote a piece describing in depth the beliefs and practices of Atheism.

Michon also volunteered with the Adventure Playground project in Logan. She was scheduled for the entire shift and helped to build a playground for her local community.

Michon is also a member of SMCCV or the Social Media Club of Cache Valley. She joined the organization this year, which helps people network and learn more about social media.

In an article by Deseret News I learned that Michon went to Cottonwood High School and was a middle hitter on the varsity volleyball team her senior year. Her team was a 4A school and went to leagues.

JCOM 2160: Reading Four

I think that it is crazy to think that online you can be anyone you wish. The concept of Second Life brings this truth to an even greater reality. I think it is a crazy concept that can literally suck people into another world. I have heard a lot about this website and heard that people claim it is an escape from the real world. It is my personal opinion that people should learn how to more constructivly live in this life. Instead of playing a game that could potentially harm your concpet of reality, how about spend time with loved ones, take a walk, or read a book. I even heard that there have been divorces over this game where husbands marry other women and spend more time with them then their actual wives. Despite the fact that this life can be stressful, I think it is best to make your "first" life one of happiness all alone.

Oldham Blog #23

So I love the "You know you are a (blank) when posts so I thought I would do one for PR students:

Ten Ways to Know You are a PR Student:

1. You carry your AP handbook with you just in case you might need to reference something.

2. You have already thought of your own personal"brand."

3. You are one of the only college students your ages that actually checks the news daily.

4. You look for errors while reading the newspaper.

5. You are on the only one in your group of friends who knows about Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, PROpenMic,Flickr and Google Wave.

6. You have thought about logging into Second life just to see how people advertise.

7. You joined PRSSA.

8. Unlike the norm, public speaking is not your biggest fear, but rather something you actually enjoy.

9. You have googled yourself to see what your online reputation is.

10. You have realized being able to network will get you farther than any of your classes.

OLdham Blog #22

Something I just got into is checking my friends' personal blogs for their wedding. I think it is so great because I get to hear their "stories" of how they met, how the wedding is coming, and what their plans are. As a bridesmaid for two of these people, it has been so great to feel like I am a part of the wedding process. I feel connected and they reach not only me, but all of our friends. As I was viewing one of them again today I thought of the idea that all companies really should have a blog where they post things regarding new products, sales, ect. Facebook pages are also a great idea and I know lots of companies who already have them. I feel like my generation spends more time on a computer than anywhere else and that this is the best bet for companies of the future.

Oldham Blog #21

One networking tool I just cannot get over is facebook. Not only can you stalk your friends and even random strangers, but you can literally let me know almost everything about you. A personal example I have of this comes from two years ago when I kept changing my relationship status. In a day it went from "in a relationship" to "it's complicated" to "single." I cannot even begin to explain the number of texts and phone calls I got just because of this. The situation really reminded me how much people are online and checking their friends status, photos, ect. Sometimes I feel that people live more online than they do in the real life. This moves into the idea that people don't communicate face-to-face anymore. Things can so easily be done over an emial, text, phone call, and now your online profile. Although this has benefits, to me. nothing beats a heart-to-heart conversation.

Oldham Blog #20

I recently had the opportunity to attend a local charity event in support of Common Ground.

Here is a little more information on the organization:

"Common Ground Outdoor Adventures' mission is to provide life-enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities. We provide adaptive equipment and support, which enable people with disabilities to participate in outdoor recreation alongside their peers. These experiences reduce stereotypes, raise awareness, and empower people to realize their full potential. Our trips are not only accessible physically but also financially." http://www.cgadventures.org/

The event was so much fun to attend because they had some of the handicap kids their who had benefited from the organization. This marketing tool was such a great pr tool and really helped motivate the attendees to help the organization even more. When I plan events in the future this will definitely be something I remember.

Oldham Blog #19

The situation that happened in relation to the song “United Breaks Guitars” is a great example of both poorly conducted and positively conducted PR. A little over a year ago as musician Dave Carroll was traveling on United Airlines from Halifax to Chicago, his $3,500 Taylor guitar was damaged and broken during the flight process. When Carroll approched United about replacing the guitar, his wishes were denied. Carroll vowed to write three songs about the poor customer service and two days after his first release the company was down $180 million.

The first mistake with the public relations on United’s end was that the company did nothing to apologize or explain why they could not replace the guitar. When a client has a problem with your company, it is the priority of the PR employees to make sure the customer leaves the situation happy and on good terms with the organization. No matter if the customer is in the wrong or not, it should have been the role of United to make sure Carroll left feeling satisfied. Without caring about your customers and listening to their concerns, there is no way for a company to be successful and United should have known this.

The second mistake on United’s end was ignoring Carroll’s threats at writing three songs. Considering that Carroll is a musician and could potentially have a lot of influence, United should have taken what Carroll said much more seriously. As public relation specialists, the employees at United should have known that the reputation of the company was in danger. First and foremost, I believe that United should have provided some sort of compensation for the guitar. Ata minimum United should have already had a statement prepared in defense against Carroll and his music. This way United could have quickly had a reaction statement and the losses could have potentially been avoided.

Looking at the actions of Dave Carroll, I believe that he did absolutely nothing wrong and handled the situation very professionally. Carroll tried to first handle his issues with the company. When nothing was done to assist him, Carroll forewarned United about the songs and gave them ample time to either defend themselves or help buy a replacement guitar.

Carroll’s songs and the enormous impact they had on people and United, are a great example of just how strong of an impact public relations can have. Neither Carroll nor United could have suspected that a simple song could change people’s views so strongly. With the social media of today, people see and hear things at a much quicker pace. Youtube and the Internet are so popular that millions of people can view content in a matter of days. As time continues and technology progresses, organizations and people are going to have to maintain an even stronger watch on their image and the reputation they have with the public.

Although the increase in technology and media resources can damage a company quickly, it can also change an image for the positive overnight. Dave Carroll is an excellent example of how in a matter of days he went from being hardly known to a social sensation. Today, PR can be used to the advantage or disadvantage depending on how resources are used and situations are handled. The overall message and key is to recognize the power of PR and use this power for good.