online reputation

Online Reputation
TO: Tressa M. Gilbert
FROM: Jessica Vasil
DATE: Dec. 6, 2009
REGARDING: Online Reputation

When I searched your name on Google, a variety of things came up. Some of the results were: your twitter account (http://twitter.com/thetruffs ), your volunteer form for Adventure Playground, your comments on blogs from this class, and your blog from this class (http://tressag.blogspot.com/2009/09/press-release-one-announcement.html). The other blog of yours I found was http://tressagilbert.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/reading-four-virtual-life-virtual-world/ .

I did a simple search on facebook, and was unable to easily locate it. I also was unable to find you on myspace. On facebook, there are 22 people results when I search your name. The first page is a list of Tessa Gilberts, and the rest that come up are Tessa and Tresa’s but none matching the way you spell your name. This leads me to believe you either go by a different name on facebook, or do not have one.

From your blogspot blog I was able to find out that you are a great writer, and have a talent for PR writings. You have publicly posted press releases, business letters, memos, and everyday blogs. This gave me a good overall impression of your writing style in an array of different types of postings. Also from your blog, I was able to see a picture of you, and some personal information. You are 21 years old, a PR student at Utah State University, you love to read and play ping pong. There is a list of your favorite books, movies, music, and interests.
Under your Prospectus Letter Draft, which came up separately under a google search, your private email address is listed (tressa.gilbert@gmail.com). That link is http://tressag.blogspot.com/2009/11/prospectus-letter-draft.html .

Overall, I feel that your digital footprint is very professional. There are no incriminating pictures or information out there that I could find. You have very good work published on your blog, and this type of footprint reflects your personality well.

2300 self help a scam?

Recently, several of my friends have started to read various self help books. Some of them have really taken it to heart and such, bringing them 'new life' and 'new beginings.' I myself am rather skeptic of such books. Are self help books anything more than common sense we all have with great PR people for authors?

The advice these books preach probably will work if you take it to heart; yet I feel as though most of it you know without reading. Advice such as 'Put others first in your daily life' and 'Forgive yourself, allow yourself to heal,' just seem obvious to me. Yet thousands of people buy these books, and shell out lots of money to attend these seminars. Is there something more to it? Or are these people just sheep, following someone with excellent PR skills?

2300 proper email?

Emoticon and the language of texting has seemingly taken over how we write our emails. Has the formality of writing a letter vanished? Think about it, what is email if not an online version of a letter? By this standard, shouldn't emails be as formal as if you were using letterhead and sending it through the mail?

If you are responding to a forward from a friend using things like lol or :) are fine. However, when writing a professional email to another professional, your email should reflect that. One thing that drives me crazy are simple spelling and grammatical errors. If you have a professional job you should know where a comma goes! You should also be aware of the difference between there, they're, and their and USE THEM CORRECTLY! There is nothing that aggravates me more than getting an email from my superior with common errors such as these. It makes me wonder how they got their position and why I have yet to be promoted.

On a more serious (and less of a ranting) note, emails written from a company/professional standpoint should be just that, professional. Use complete sentences with proper grammer, and use spellcheck, if neccesary. Don't let formalities die online.

2300 digital footprint

Your online reputation seems to be the first thing that people talk about while pursuing a career. Make sure you google your name and see what comes up. Don't have any pictures on facebook that show you in a bikini or having fun. Now, don't misunderstand me, I understand that nude/illegal activities are not a great idea to have online for potential employers to see. However, I see nothing wrong with showing you have a life outside of work.

I talked to some of my professors about this and have come to the consensus that if you have up pictures of vacation, time spent with friends, etc. It will lead to the type of work envirnoment that values the fact that you do have a life outside of work. Therefore, making you a happier individual (and a happier employer). However, if you so desire, you can delete all said photographs and blogs and present yourself as the uber professional you care to be. Be warned, that this image will be the one your employer expects at all times.

Personally, I will chose to leave up my vacation, friends, and family pictures. I want my employer to know I have a life outside of work, and value that side as much as my professional side. You won't see me in a bikini at work, but I will enjoy the beach on the weekends.

2300 apology?

On the front page of the Statesman on November 18, was an article on Anthony Diloreto, a cureent red shirting basketball player here at Utah State University. The article says how he was arrested in Wisconsin on varies charges including possession of burglarous tools and robbery with use of force. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 100 hours of service. This sentence was imposed in an unusual manner, allowing him to serve his time over the summer so he could continue his education.

Now my question is this: should he issue a public statement/apology after this article ran? Or should it be left alone, considering he has already been convicted and sentenced. Clearly coach Stew Morrill is okay with it and believes he is "a good kid that amde a mistake." Everyone deserves second chances, that's not what this is about. Should Diloreto address this publicly now that the entire campus and community is fully aware of his previous actions? Or would it be in his best interest to let it pass?

Burger Planet Poitioning Paper Final

Burger Planet CEO,

To build the image of Burger Planet, we have done ample research to build a PR campaign that will increase the spending of 30 to 40 year old female consumers by 20 percent within 16 months. As a result of our campaign, consumers will be more aware of the healthier food options offered by Burger Planet and will want to bring in their kids and families to dine here.

In this business, association means everything. By bringing Jayne Petersen onboard our team, we feel that it will put a positive spin on Burger Planet. Petersen has been a trainer to the stars for many years. One of her most famous clients is Opal Whitcomb, who she helped lose and keep off weight. This is a feat no other personal trainer has accomplished. With her experience, we know that Petersen will be able to create an encouraging atmosphere in which woman will feel comfortable bringing and feeding their children.

According to Kimberly Savilonis, VP of market development of GE franchise finance, 30 percent of restaurant traffic is driven by families with kids; much of that traffic is lead by mothers who are looking for fast and healthy meals on the go. Due to this research, we believe that our new healthy menu items will help bring in mothers and their families. White meat chicken breasts have been added as a new option. It can be wrapped in lettuce if you are on a low-carb diet, or you can hold the mayo for a reduction of 500 calories. There are also five different kinds of fruits available: apples, grapes, peaches, pineapple, or bananas. Obesity is a growing problem in the United States, and one in three children in the United States is considered over weight (www.healthiergeneration.org). Therefore, Burger Planet is committed to decrease obesity in the U.S., and is doing so by offering healthier meal options.

Since healthy options are such a big part of our campaign, we will have Corny the Clown working along side Petersen in promoting the healthy food and living choices to kids. From May through July they will be making appearances at various venues and Burger Planet locations to help promote the new menu. In May they will be featured in an ad that shows them jogging into a Burger Planet and ordering off the new healthy menu.

Through these methods Burger Planet will see an increase in total sales of 20 percent over a 16 month period. By targeting 30 to 40 year old women with children we know that our campaign will be successful.

Jessica Vasil

Kenzie Lawlor

Lindsey Garner

Jon Bingham

2300 Ft Hood

Recently, there was a shooter who killed and injured over 40 people in the Fort Hood shooting. At first report, there was information that the shooter, Maj. Nidal Hasan was dead and had been shot on the scene. Later this information was recanted, and it was stated that he was in a hospital listed under critical, yet stable condition.

On Saturday, November 7, he was taken off a ventilater and able to talk. This is the most recent information we, as the general public, have. My question is this, why the false information? Was it simply an error (I doubt it), or was there a PR reason for telling the media originally that he was dead?

I can understand in a local situation in order to keep people from panicing more than they already are, to misinform them to control the situation. Is that all this was? Or is there a deeper reason for it?