So Flippin’ Awesome

 

  Last semester, the term “Flip cam” seemed to be buzzing everywhere in the Grady PR department. A NY Times article states that the device’s claim to fame is its minimalism.

Flip cameras are close to the size of a digital camera and have a built-in USB port to both charge the device and upload videos. The recorders only have a few buttons, weigh a few ounces and have 1.5-inch screens.  According to Pure Video Technologies’ Web site, “the Flip video camcorders are the world’s first with on-board software to enable editing, organizing, and seamless video uploading to YouTube, MySpace, AOL Video and other video sharing sites.” Since 2007, more than two million cameras have been sold!

At Grady, Flip cams were used to create quick promo videos by fellow classmates. They were taken to the PRSSA national conference in Detroit to document the experience for peers back in Athens. And, I even had my first dabble with a Flip cam when I created this short infomercial for a class project (please excuse the terrible acting—I write for a reason! 🙂 ).

Now, Flip cams have moved up in the world and are producing content for national entertainment!

CNN.com announced last month that a new reality show based on the lives of two freshman congressmen would be filmed with Flip cams. The two men will carry high-definition Flip cameras throughout their experiences and the segments will be uploaded to the Web throughout the year. Below is a sample of the show:

Embedded video from CNN Video 

While, I’m not sure how exciting this drama on Capitol Hill really is, it’s an innovative idea that may spark some other, more appealing ideas. In addition, Pure Digital Technology, the maker of Flip cameras, was recently bought by Cisco. With the new ownership, the Flip cam is expected to become even more mobile than it already is… potentially through the use of wireless Internet connections. With this concept leading the way, I think there are great things in store for the future of the Flip.

The Job Search

Admittedly, the posts have been lacking recently. But, it’s been for a halfway legit reason, I’d say: I’ve begun the job search! 

While I’ve always heard the saying “finding a job is a job in itself,” I never truly understood what it meant- until now. I’ll spare you the lamenting over the hours I’ve spent on the hunt and just share a neat job-searching story with you instead.

Jamie Varon, an avid Twitter user, developed a gutsy, yet incredibly creative campaign to get hired by Twitter. She developed an entire Web site about why the company should hire her. The site was spread virally through Twitter and according to the site, has acquired more than 28,000 hits in just a few days! She boldly states why she wants to work at Twitter and how she would be an asset to the organization. She also blogs about relevant ideas she has for Twitter, such as “4 Ways Twitter Can Make Money.” This out-of-the-box thinking has increased Jamie’s online presence no doubt. Do you think it has increased her chances of getting hired?

Along with many of her followers on Twitter, I think that the ingenuity and drive that she has displayed through this campaign should get her an interview at least. I think a passion for what you are doing is one of the most important attributes an employee can possess, and this girl clearly has passion. 

But, an interesting issue is what, if any, effect her passion and creativity will have on the job search for the rest of us. Do you think that this unique job application will become more common as social media platforms and Web development become more common? Will the standard cover letter and resume ever disappear? 

The traditionalist in me says no. But, I bet most people never thought a thank you note would be sent via e-mail either…

Real World PR 2009

Everyone says college isn’t quite like the “real world.” To give soon-to-be public relations professionals a taste of the real world, Georgia’s Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) chapter hosted its annual event, Real World PR 2009, last Friday.

As a participant, I was given the opportunity to attend four break-out sessions, have my resume critiqued, network with numerous professionals, meet students from other schools, visit recruiters at a career expo and mingle with PRSA members at lunch. Wow—all that and I got to miss class! 🙂 

But, honestly, every minute between my 4:30 a.m. wake up call and the 5 o’clock traffic on the way home was both educational and enjoyable. Below are a few of my favorite lessons from throughout the day:

• The one social media tool that advanced the most because of the 2008 campaign is Wi-Fi. Without 3-G networks, it would have been a very different campaign. –Impact of Social Media on Politics panel
• TV used to be considered a lean back activity while using the Internet was considered a lean forward activity—now, society is rocking back and forth, using the Internet while we watch TV. –Impact of Social Media on Politics panel
• Have an “elevator speech” and practice it! Be ready to give it to anyone, anywhere, anytime. –Make Yourself Marketable panel
• Think of an interview as a conversation! –Make Yourself Marketable panel
• Research, research, research—companies you want to work for, that is. –Seal the Deal: What You Need to Know to Land the Job panel
• It’s important to understand how media outlets work to understand why they publish the stories they do. –Media Relations panel
• If you can’t explain what your story is in 30 seconds or less, it’s not ready to pitch! –Media Relations panel
• Know what’s going on in the news and make your story relate to the national trends but with a local angle. –Media Relations panel
• Persistence pays off. –Travel, Tourism and Hospitality PR panel
• PR doesn’t stand for public relations, but personal relationships. –Travel, Tourism and Hospitality PR panel

In the conference program, the coordinators state that the goal of the event is for students to “enjoy today, make contacts you can use throughout yours career and leave as excited about working in public relations as we all are.” Job well done, PRSA Georgia, because I can say with confidence that statement is 100 percent true for me! 

Chaos postponed

The transition from analog to digital broadcasting was originally planned to take place today (I’m still awake, so it’s still Tuesday for me!). However, because of lack of funding and communication, it has been postponed. Please delay all panic and chaos until June 12 instead. 🙂

Seeing in 3-D?

When I learned that filmmakers were starting to produce movies in digital 3-D, I thought it was awesome! Advancing technology would make these films accessible to the masses and add a little variety and excitement to the typical movie experience.

However, this perfect plan is not as perfect as it seems.

According to this New York Times article, many movie theaters do not have the advanced technology required to play digital 3-D movies. While the $15,000 extra production cost doesn’t seem extravagant at first, when producers realize that their high-tech films are only able to play in “about 1,300 of North America’s 40,000 or so” theaters across the nation, it seems like a much less profitable investment. To upgrade theaters to the required equipment, it costs $100,000 per theater!

Because of the limited availability of 3-D technology, films are forced to release a traditional 2-D version in tandem with the anticipated 3-D versions. For instance, My Bloody Valentine, which was released Jan. 16, was only able to show the 3-D version on 900 screens, while the 2-D version opened on 1,600 screens, according to the NYT article. After looking at these numbers, I question whether it is worth the extra money and effort to develop 3-D films.

On the viewer’s side, the estimated cost per ticket is $25 each. I already avoid theaters because of the hike up to $10 a ticket at my local theaters! Do you think customers will pay the extra money to see a film in 3-D? Would you?