A good group of students, in a couple of classes from Spring semester 2009, created these as their final project.

Hope you enjoy their work. Please feel free to hire them. Good students & people!

Cross-posted at PRProspects.com and the future home of that site, too.

• www.melindabowens.com
• www.kelliecelia.com
• www.ammccoy.com
• www.katijones.com
• www.annaetucker.com
• www.johnroberson.net
• www.katlinmulvaney.com
• www.jahnnahall.com
• www.margieevans.com
• www.monicaafanador.com
• www.rachelmmurphyonline.com
• www.sjbivins.com
• www.pbdebow.com
• www.kelseyware.com
• www.kcduffyonline.com
• www.carolinecassidy.com
• www.amandamiles.com
• www.marycstewart.com
• www.mbwaltononline.com
• www.klaurenchandler.com
• www.akjonline.com
• www.hillaryegibbs.com
• www.brookbentley.com
• www.faithpalmer.com
• www.elizabethmahaney.com
• www.rebeccabedsole.com

The site, hosted on the Ning platform, has been up for three weeks. You’ll note that the site is residing on the university’s domain. We have only found a few other college/university social networks. Auburn’s is the only one we can find that is totally open to the public.

Coverage has been pretty good. The Associated Press and several state newspapers and TV stations have covered the site’s launch.

Students in PRCM 4020, PR Messages in Style & Design, are managing the site. Each student has complete administrator status. Every week, one group of students write features and create videos for the site.

As of this writing, Auburn Family has 1,324 members. Here’s a breakdown so far: 680 students (Auburn & high school), 78 parents, 453 alumni, 20 faculty, 58 staff, and 110 Friends of Auburn. Please note: the numbers overlap because now you may pick more than one designation. Also, answering this question was not required for half of the signups. So, we know – for example – that we have more than 78 parents. Many of the alumni, for instance, are also parents of students.

Here are three of the stories in state newspapers so far:

Opelika-Auburn News, Huntsville Times and the Columbus (GA) Ledger Enquirer.

Why did I want to do this? It is the ultimate experiential learning experience. Well, one of them, at least. Considering that the university bought into all of our work over the past several years, I feel it serves to give a bit of validity to our classroom activities. The students are now getting to run a site for the university.

It isn’t hard to get the students excited about the exercise. They love their school and want to put their own best foot forward. It is content ripe for a student’s digital portfolio. Showing future employers that they have experience running a social network for such a large institution has its benefits, too.

I’m happy with the site’s progress. Looking forward to how it advances in the weeks to come.

Do Online Reporting / Videos for the NYTimes

This is an exciting opportunity. It would be wonderful if an Auburn student or a student member of PROpenMic won, wouldn’t it?

Phil Gomes, Senior Vice President of Edelman Digital, posted this to PROpenMic. I’m sort of reposting it here in blogs, too, in an attempt to get your attention. This is a great opportunity!

I’m pleased to invite you to apply for the 2009 Win-a-Trip contest. As I wrote in my column, I will take a university student with me on a reporting trip to Africa, giving the student a chance to blog for nytimes.com and to file videos to The Times and Youtube. — excerpt from Nicholas Kristof

See the story in the New York Times, Win a Trip!

Get the complete details here: Contest Rules, How to Enter, and more…

Visit the New York Times video channel on YouTube to see the Nicholas Kristof video.

I don’t guess I need to tell you how this opportunity would likely lead to a wonderful job opportunity in the future. Read the article and read the contest rules. Please consider applying. It is a once in a lifetime challenging adventure! Go for it!

I would love to see a student we’re involved with win this!

I can feel Jen O’Meara’s pain. We likely all can. She has a project she loves and it isn’t going anywhere. Frustration. We’ve all felt it, right?

David Meerman Scott shares A viral marketing story suitable for bedtime. It is a story of disappointment and sadness. But, at least the author, YOBI CIO Jen O’Meara, tries to tell it with a tongue-in-cheek spin.

Jen’s no dummy – you’d think. A Ph.D. under her belt, no less, she’s struggling to get her startup Yobi.tv site off the ground. Yobi.tv claims to be a “unique blend of social networking, reality show contests, and user-generated content (that) will revolutionize the world of online entertainment.” Well, it’s good to have a dream.

I know Jen’s video below reveals that she’s been panned by many. So, a critique of the site may seem like a pile on. Looking at the site and watching the first six bits of random content featured on the front page (it rotates each time you reload the page), it seems to tell (at least part of) the story of Jen’s problems.

First, let’s examine what content greeted me (Warning: Signup required to view):

• Terror of Frankenstein Yobitv Trailer – Hey, it’s the kid’s first effort at video, so cut him a break. Pretty good for a first try.
• Pretty photo “Taken from 5000 feet in a hot air balloon over San Diego.” – Um, can’t I go to flickr for this?
• A photo of a sunflower posted as a video – that won’t play … um, because it is a photo!
• Interesting photo a pretty old house and its front door & windows – Again, hello flickr?
• Interesting photo, but not too remarkable, of the Golden Gate Bridge in fog. – Again, hello flickr?
• A truly ridiculous (read that as lame) video of “My husband was threatening to throw me into the lake. Instead of helping me, my cousin ran up with the camera and took this video. They both bug me.” – This one gives meaningless a bad name.

So, the reality is … Jen’s reality TV ain’t that hot. In fact, it is like 99.999% of that on YouTube and many other video sites. It sucks. It is boring. It is mostly mindless dribble.

There are two blaring, glaring omissions in her site’s setup and philosophy for gaining viewers. I can’t believe she hasn’t spotted them, yet. In fact, it seems she’s so confident in her contests and content … she actually doesn’t want to offer them.

So, what are they? There is no sharing function for embedding the content and sharing it on other sites. Then, and perhaps the goofiest of all, there is a forced registration process. Yep, you can’t see any of the videos unless you sign up! To me, after signing up and looking at the content … well, anyone can see why her site is failing.

You know, Jen, I wouldn’t necessarily blame all the various forms of emerging digital media – or social marketing – for the failure of Yobi.tv to gain traction. Certainly, online marketing doesn’t always work. In Yobi.tv’s case, though, I’d blame a rather un-inviting Web design, a very unattractive logo (what are you, a nuclear reactor?), no clear information upfront about Yobi.tv contests (what Jen declares as her big draw), bland copy and graphics, along with a rather boring overall presentation.

Jen’s YouTube rant about her fate is below. Then, you’ll see her e-book … well, actually just 14 slides in – again – a very bland presentation trying to recite her video in Powerpoint form … yikes! She’s kidding again, of course (I hope). But, now even the joke has grown old and I’ve only known about this for what … 15 minutes?

Jen continually compares her site’s woes to the splendid success of Blendtec’s wildly fun and (here’s a good word for ya’, Jen) relevant content at Will It Blend?

Jen, I’d suggest you (a) take a clue from the Google ad on your site (right) and (b) decide just what it is you’re trying to sell. No, as you suggested in your video, you aren’t giving something away. You’re selling contests, Jen. Face it and work with it.

You’re trying to draw in viewers. But, to what? Sure, you’re giving away up to $10,000 in your contests, but where is the description and snappy copy to lure folks into your contests? Jen, you seem to believe that an offer of money – alone – will do it. Nope, I don’t see it. And, why is your site more relevant (more fun) than the dozens of other video sharing sites? Ooops! Sorry, I forgot. You don’t share! First rule learned in kindergarten (and social media), Jen. Share!

In fact, the best copy on your site is that found in the Google ad for the french fry contest. That’s kinda sad. It is especially sad when you realize what the ad is for, and what it is doing. “Predicto Mobile gives you access to unlimited surveys, votes, and news alerts for $9.99 billed monthly to your mobile phone bill.” Jen, they are charging people $9.99 to participate in mobile phone contests that likely offer a one in a gazillion chance of paying off. I’m willing to bet that Predicto is likely making money, Jen.

Here’s the bottling of the egg on this one. There are dozens of video sharing sites. Most of them are slick and clean in their presentation. They tend to truly feature interesting videos on their front pages. They have easy to understand and follow navigation. And, Jen, here’s the big kicker … on those sites you can actually take the videos/photos and embed them elsewhere. You don’t offer that option, Jen. This was the most glaring omission of all when I first arrived on the site. I can’t believe you actually launched a video sharing site where the only place they can share … is with you! Are you serious?

Jen! Hello? Ya’ can’t go viral if people can’t share your videos and photos. No brainer, Jen. Sorry. You may be your own worst enemy. I’m sorry you’re not having success, but don’t blame it on anyone but your site, your product and your team. You guys are causing your own problems.

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Starbucks recently launched (March ’08?) their site – my Starbucks Idea. This BusinessWeek article explains more. 

So, it was great to hear what she had to offer academia re: what’s new in emerging digital media. You can, by the way, see her entire presentation panel by visiting the Edelman site for their joint summit with PRWeek.

In the video below, Alex shares what Starbucks is looking for in new hires. Also, she relates the difference between today’s practice and the digital landscape at the beginning of her career, a little over a decade ago.

Many thanks to Alex for agreeing to the interview. She was very nice and quite helplful. You can see all seven videos I made from the conference, with eleven different interviews, by checking out the Summit ’08 collection at PROpenMic.

Find more videos like this on PROpenMic

Paull Young, of Young PR and Converseon emailed me the other day with news. He reminded me of the two people at Converseon that found their way to the firm through social media, and PROpenMic, in particular. 

Maria Garcia De la Ossa (right) and Lindsey George (left, and her digital resume) are both working with Converseon today. Maria is a new hire and Lindsey is doing her internship. She’s from Auburn, too.

Maria’s story revolves around her involvement in a student competition that Shel Holtz discusses … actually, raves about – in his blog. It is the National Student Advertising Competition sponsored by AOL.com. Maria is participating as a member on the Emerson College team.

Each of these students joined PROpenMic in its earliest days. They were active in creating contacts with people within the network. That’s how you get where you want to go, folks. And, they did it.

So, here’s the video from both Maria and Lindsey. Thanks, Paull!

Find more videos like this on PROpenMic

Ya’ know, there’s another Auburn alum at Converseon, too. The wonderful Christi Eubanks began working with Converseon last year, actually. ) And, let’s not forget a shout out to the great Constantin Basturea, too! ) Hey, Constantin! Thanks for taking care of the students/alums and helping them grow and learn.

Rick Murray shares why Edelman Public Relations has taken a leadership role in helping academia better prepare students for the future of public relations.

This conference is an excellent model for others to follow. We need all the help we can get, folks. I appreciate Edelman’s leadership in this area. The Summit, along with their Bootcamps, shows that Edelman is clearly in the lead. I wish more of these types of opportunities were taking place now. We don’t want to have to catch up, do we?

Video from the Edelman/PRWeek New Media Academic Summit held on June 26-27, 2008.

Keith shares, what I believe to be, a great overview of why PR agencies should seek to work with academia and why experimenting with emerging digital media is so important for both students and educators.

This video is from June 26-27, 2008, in Chicago.

The YouTube video below started me thinking about a lot of things. My head was spinning. So, I’m just thinking out loud here. My mind is still running over possible lesson plans that may help those academics yet to explore emerging digital media an avenue to embrace it.

This video I’m referring to, you’re going to like it, made me think how interesting it would be to adapt this Comparison and Rhetorical Analysis class assignment to the video below.

What might we add to that assignment? Perhaps a discussion about the growth of internet usage, particularly internet video viewing habits, among tweens, teens and college students would fit – or extend the exploration. Is online video their new venue for activism?

Discuss how broad the use of video has spread in just a short time. From February 2005 until today, YouTube has been followed by numerous other video sharing sites and networks.

With all those video sites, and their enormous traffic, McLuhan’s hammer is now a sledge [medium (video) as an extension (the hammer) of ourselves]. Think of it. With the advent of TubeMogul.com, for instance, the reach of these messages extends to so many sites, so easily. I know, we’re just talking about the time it takes to upload videos. But, that time requirement/constraint is a barrier to entry. One upload via TubeMogul now means you’re posting to over a dozen video sharing sites at once.

Looking at this post from June 2006, Video sharing sites – Alexa rankings « Video on the Web, I began wondering where their rankings are now. A cursory look already shows that more are in the top traffic slots. I’ll investigate those sites (and the new ones) and post it later. (And yes, I know we have to look further than the traffic rankings of Alexa.)

Like I said, my mind is spinning and racing. The Comparison and Rhetorical Analysis is one more way to engage in emerging digital media discussions in class. Compare the reach of video online today to the reach of say movies in their earliest years and TV in its Golden Age? That’s another. After all, the numbers are staggering.

And all of this rather random thinking comes about due to this truly powerful video that involves the juxtaposition of images from the 3rd world and developed countries. Me? I imagine that most people are generally oblivious to the devastation taking place all around us. Sure, we know it is happening. We just don’t think about it. Videos like this one need to keep pinging us upside the head as a reminder that all is not well with our world.

Again, just thinking out loud. Gotta get my head around this. Watch the video. What do you think?

By the way, if one kookaid drunk new media (ack!) guru makes any comment about the term medium, I’ll pound you.

My goal in starting PROpenMic, the social network for students & faculty, was to provide a resource that would help all of us.

I’m happy to report one particular success story from that site. I’m looking for others, too. So, if you have such a story, please share it in the comments or write to me. See the post and video below.

PROpenMic is not even three months old. Its third month anniversary is Tuesday. The social network will become what the members make of it. So far, we have a large group – over 1,300 faculty, students and practitioners. They are adding content on a daily basis, from blog posts to videos – and more. The success of the site is very heart warming, to me. I thank all of you that have joined and I look forward to Fall semester when I believe the site’s student population will really increase.

Now, the post: Allie Osmar :: PROpenMic Success Story

I had the pleasure of meeting Allie Osmar in person at the Edelman Academic Summit in Chicago. She stopped me between sessions and said, in effect, she owed a bit of praise to PROpenMic. Well, that certainly got my attention, so I asked her for an interview to find out why. Here ya’ go!

Find more videos like this on PROpenMic

Allie is a truly smart, lovely and kind lady. PROpenMic offered Allie a network that helped her find the job that makes her happy. Whether it be a job, internship or contact with that special person that enlightens you on a PR topic of interest, that’s what we hope PROpenMic does for all of you.

Are there any other success stories out there? If so, please visit my page in PROpenMic and send me a message. I’d love to hear from you!

As you can tell by the video’s opening graphics, I’m trying out ideas to create a PROpenMic theme for all the videos I’ll be posting.

More Videos Are Coming Almost Every Day

I have another 10 or so videos I’ll share from the Edelman Academic Summit. Also, our great members have been sharing videos, too. I’ve embedded two of the most recent on the PROpenMic front page. And you may go to the main video page and check out all the videos!