The common words that appear next to Catholic Church in the media are “corrupt,” “scandal,” and “controversy.” However, with just twelve short months behind him, Pope Francis has been able to create an exceptional image for him and the church he leads. While he has not altered any of the practices of the catholic faith, he has changed the way of publicizing the Pope’s actions to better reflect his faith. Being the first religious figure head to appear on the January cover of Rolling Stone, this PR rock star knows what to focus on and spotlight. From the start, Francis made a more personal impression than his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, and seemed to choose every opposite tactic. His face was circulating around social media as part of top 10 lists of greatest acts or pictures that “restore faith in humanity.” Even without the extra push from outside media sources, Pope Francis puts us all to shame with his 3.86 million Twitter followers. He’s the second-most followed world leader after President Obama, who has had five extra years to rack up his 42.3 million followers. So how does he do it? What makes Pope Francis so beloved? There is no doubt that any person who gets elected to be Pope is a good person, but what pushes him to be so beloved by people of various faiths, backgrounds, and beliefs? Let's start with the initial image the world was presented with. Pope Francis ditched the gold and rubies that normally adorn the Pope, and instead chose a metal cross, simple silver ring, and plain white robes. He keeps on the simple black shoes and pants of an average priest to remind him who he really is underneath his title. Unlike previous Popes, Francis refused to live in the Vatican mansion and opted to live in the guesthouse closer to his people and colleagues. Backing up his tweets with his actions, Francis has been photographed serving the poor at night and kissing the sick. Less time is spent in the trusty pope mobile and more time is spent hands on with the people. Walking among the mobs during World Youth Day in Brazil the Pope took the opportunity to shake hands and be seen at the same level of the people. He takes situations others would find concerning, like a child running on stage during mass, and makes them opportunities to laugh off mistakes, meet a new individual, and be part of one of the most historic selfies to date. The Pope’s overall good spirit and laid-back attitude makes it hard for people not to be drawn to him. From serious events to publicity meetings, Pope Francis conducts himself with a professional attitude and a smile. The next step to Pope Francis’s PR perfectionism comes from the topic he chooses in his addresses. From the start, Pope Francis focused on the important, but basic, topics of love and charity. As you can see, these are non-controversial topics that everyone can stand behind. Even though Pope Francis is not seen regularly bringing up hot button issues, when he does answer them, he uses tact while remaining true to his views. By choosing language that is non-offensive or confrontational he makes all people, even those with different views, comfortable. This creates unification with all members of faith instead of digging the divides against one another deeper. Agree with his beliefs or not, we can all learn more than just religious lessons from Pope Francis. Francis can feel confident about adding “communication teacher” under “church figurehead” on his resume, as he exemplifies how to work a crowd and relate to multiple audiences. As of now, Pope Francis has secured the accuracy of the trending hashtag #BestPopeEver. Edited by Melanie Ford, Webmaster and Editor-in-Chief 2013-2014
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It seems as though everything is going global, from fast food chains to music to television shows. The public relations industry is no exception. In an increasingly interconnected generation, the field is spreading worldwide. Global public relations, also called international public relations, is gaining popularity as a career path. So, as a college student studying PR, what should you know about this industry trend? What is Global PR? First, it’s important to know what exactly global public relations is. Here are a few different definitions from PR professionals, given in Platform Magazine:
Why should you be interested? As you attempt to enter the public relations field, it’s important to be up-to-date on industry trends. Applying for your first job with some knowledge of global PR shows that you’re knowledgeable about how the field is growing internationally. Although the U.S. dominates the PR industry, agencies have arisen around the globe, especially in Europe and Asia. Large PR agencies such as Edelman, Hill & Knowlton and Fleishman Hillard have offices not just in the U.S., but also worldwide. Edelman, for example, reported that 64 percent of it’s $450 million revenue in 2008 was made internationally. It’s likely that the industry will continue to spread in the coming years. What can you do now? Think global PR sounds like something you’d be interested in? Here are five things you can do while you’re still in college to make your resume more competitive: 1. Travel: Studying abroad is a perfect way to broaden your horizons and experience new cultures. Or, if you’re taking a vacation abroad with friends or family, take the opportunity to tie PR experiences into your trip – take pictures of new places you see and keep a traveler’s blog. 2. Learn about other cultures: There are countless opportunities to increase your cultural understanding right at your school. Ask your friends from various backgrounds about their customs, check out an international street fair, or take elective classes in international relations or global marketing. 3. Learn another language: Knowing a second language is a highly marketable skill that makes you a valuable asset to many companies. Sign up for a few language classes, or use online services to brush up on a language you studied in high school. 4. Practice your PR skills: Remember, successful global PR practices are fundamentally the same as any other PR practices. Work on skills like press releases, media kits, campaign planning and media pitches in your public relations classes as well as in student organizations or internships. 5. Network: Network as much as possible! In a field that’s so focused on relationship-building, creating and maintaining professional relationships can be the best way to get your foot in the door for your dream job. Edited by Melanie Ford, Webmaster and Editor-in-Chief 2013-2014 |
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