Michael Jung

Michael Jung is a recent graduate from Georgia Southern University and has a BS in Public Relations and Image Management with a Minor in Marketing.

Michael currently works for The Hastings Group, which is a large Public Affairs firm out of Arlington, VA. Michael has also worked in the Corporate and Social Marketing Department of Ketchum Public Relations in Washington DC.

You can find Michael Jung here at his public LinkedIn profile:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-jung/12/517/149

Q: What is a typical week like?

A: Well, currently my week consists of working Sunday through Thursday nights. I do Media Monitoring for the Cap and Trade bill that is being pushed through Congress by President Obama. I compile reports in an effort to help Natural Resources Defense Council decide on campaign strategies to help counteract the negative press surrounding the Cap and Trade energy bill.

Q: How important is writing in your career?

A: Very important. Writing is a pivotal part of any Public Relations career. It is one thing to be an effective communicator verbally, but one must also ensure that they can effectively get a message across in a written manner as well. You will quickly learn that the majority  out reach that you will do in any PR field will be through written campaigns and or materials; not face-to- face.

Q: What three tips would you offer someone just starting out in PR?

A: First and foremost pay attention to AP formatting. Also understand the importance and basics behind proper business and email etiquette. Lastly, learn and understand graphics and design software such as InDesign and Photo Shop.

Q: What do you do to keep current in the PR industry?

A: I subscribe to PR Weekly, stay current with trend on PRSA website and also make sure to network and communicate with other PR professionals.

Q:What do you wish you would have known before starting your career in PR?

A: The amount of dues that you have to pay before you become the PR superstar that you will one day become. You have to start at the bottom and earn your way to start. This sounds basic, but you don’t get to do the fun campaign creativity aspects at the beginning, you have to earn the right to be able to share your ideas with the world.

Q: Did your education prepare you for working in PR? How

A: Yes, as a GSU graduate I feel as though my education definitely helped to prepare me for a career in PR. The education and guidance I received from the professors at GSU, especially in the design and writing aspects of PR have helped me beyond the expectations of many people that I have worked with since I graduated.

Q: What has surprised you the most about working in PR?

A: How important and intense media outreach is in any campaign. Also the importance of learning the ins and outs of press releases.

Q: How does technology affect your daily work?

A: My current job is based around technology. The programs I use to collect the media sources makes my life exponentially easier than having to sort through media outlets from all around the U.S.

Q: When your company is hiring for an entry-level PR position, what makes a candidate stand out?

A: Experience, Experience, Experience! Beyond that, association with professional organizations such as PRSSA and PRSA.

Q: Are you involved in any professional organizations?

A: PRSA and LinkedIn.

MY SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

1. Connecting: Hello, my name is Julie Smith, I am a senior public relations major at GSU. 

[ I would like an introduction from my follows, and I would appreciate it if they gave themselves a brief introduction as well.]

2. Follow, add, friend: Be my friend!

[My policy on friending people and following people are: I will accept anyone as a friend and allow anyone to follow me, but in order for me to follow someone I read their 'feed' for a day or two, check out their bio and view a few of their friends, and it helps if we have common interests or friends.]

3. Privacy, boundaries and safety: Safety First

[I consider myself moderately safe. I don't reveal more information than my name, major, area of study or interest, and possibly where I am from and where I attend school. I don't ask my networks or friends to monitor themselves when it comes to me, because I only befriend people who have the common sense to only reveal appropriate information.]

4. Signal to noise: Open to all

[I  don't have any particularly strong feelings towards any specific type of social media. I am open to try new things. I am involved with Twitter, PRopenmic, WordPress, and I once was a member of Facebook. Nothing annoys me more than people who post annoying things on Twitter constantly, which just causes me to quit following them.]

5. Personal data and sharing: Just friends

[I am currently looking to just befriend people and network as far as Twitter goes. I am not particularly looking for a deeper connection with anyone. PRopenmic is also a networking tool, and when I establish a more in-depth resume I will more than likely join Linkedin.]

6. My networking needs and uses: Non applicable

[I am not currently involved with Facebook, Linkedin, or Myspace at this time. I don't feel the need to be apart of any of these right now and Facebook and Myspace are entirely too time consuming. The important friends in my life are contacted regularly outside of Facebook and Myspace. As for Linkedin, as I said before I will join later when I have a better resume and am more serious about career options. The way I utilize Twitter is to find information, keep my status current, and as a networking tool.]

 

To support their mission Target is guided by their commitment to great value, the community,

diversity, and the environment.

To begin with, Target gives $2 million every week to schools. Target plays an active role in

supporting education, especially early childhood reading.

Target sponsors programs, exhibits, and performances that support artistic and cultural

experiences. To enhance the communities Target serves, they are committed to preventing

family violence, disaster preparedness, and relief services.

To support these claims of theirs: Target has donated over $200 million through their Take

Charge of Education Program. Target also provides books for doctors and nurses to provide

their patients through their Reach out and Read program.

Every Thursday and Friday at the Art Institute in Chicago, there are free lectures and

workshops from 5-9p.m. compliments of Target. In 2005 Target received the Corporate

Citizenship in the Arts Award from Americans for the Arts.

Target House provides free, full-equipped two- bedroom apartments for patients receiving

treatment at St. Jude Children’s Hospital for 90 days or more.

Target has also teamed up with the National Association of Town Watch/National Night Out.

This helps promote safer neighborhoods. The other companies or organizations that Target

has teamed up with are: National Domestic Violence Hotline, Prevent Child Abuse America,

American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Target.com, (n.d.). Retrieved Nov. 30, 2008, from http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031765

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/5rfmt5

Target hasn’t really faced too many crises, and if they had they have covered them up well.

The one crisis I did find however was a lawsuit filed in February 2006 against Target Corp.

by Bruce F. Sexton Jr. and the National Federation of the Blind. The

suit alleged that Target’s website was not accessible to people with disabilities using screen

access technology.  Screen access technology converts documents and web pages into

synthesized speech or Braille. Target had not taken the necessary steps to make their website

compatible with these codes.

Target has agreed to a $6 million settlement with the NFB. As a part of the settlement

Target will establish a $6 million fund from which plaintiffs can make claims. Also

Target agreed to update their website to accommodate sight impaired online-consumers,

and to let the NFB regularly check those changes that have been made. Marc Maurer, the

President of the NFB said in a statement “We are pleased that Target has already taken

action to make certain the website is accessible for everyone.” Steve Eastman, President of

Target.com said “we have made significant enhancements to provide a pleasurable shopping

experience for everyone.”

Overall Target handled the crisis exactly as they should have; they took it with a grain of salt

and immediately took action to improved the problem, they apologized and moved on.

Disibility Rights Advocates, (2006, Feb. 06). Message posted to http://www.dralegal.org/cases/private_business/nfb_v_target.php

Havenstein, H. (2008, Aug. 28). Target agrees to $6M settlement of accessibility lawsuit. Computer World, Retrieved Nov. 30, 2008, from http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9113750

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/656xou

Considering I have already worked for Target and loved it, the research I have done on the

company has just expanded my knowledge and admiration for them. I worked for Target when

I was in high school as a sales floor associate, cashier, and operator. The more research I did on

the company the more I found that they are dedicated to giving; whether it be to their guests or

the community they serve.

One thing that disappointed me was the fact they don’t have any careers opportunities directly

related to PR. There are careers somewhat related to PR though in marketing, advertising, and

human resources. I love the fact that Target has diversity among their employees and that 57%

of professional positions were held by women in 2007.

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/6kaujz

Depending on your area of interest, Target has a variety of career opportunities, although I

couldn’t specifically find any PR related careers I did find these:

For experienced professionals available jobs:

-          Human Resources

o   Manager

o   Partner

o   Consultant

-          Marketing/Advertising

o   Director Assistant

o   Creative Manager

o   Marketing Planning Manager

o   Specialist Interactive Developer

o   Senior Packaging Engineer

o   Senior Manager Strategy

o   Team Assistant

For College Students/Graduates available jobs:

-          Human Resources

o   MBA Consultant

-          Marketing/Advertising

o   Strategy Lead

Target.com, (n.d.). Message posted to

           http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-030796

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/5qzred

Target has an online pressroom that allows people to stay connected through the latest press

releases, brands, and products. The pressroom seems to have a bit of everything from media

contacts, images, media FAQ’s, e-mail alerts, product recalls, investor news and search place

to find exactly what you need. On the pressroom page you have the option to get RSS feeds

to stay up to date with Target’s headlines.

Overall I would say Target is above par in their pressroom, they offer a bit of everything and if

you don’t see what you are looking for on their page you can contact them for an answer or a

suggestion on how they can accommodate your needs.

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/567957

Target uses ‘listening to groundswell’. Target listens to their guest’s comments aka customers by

using guest’s comments or complaints and putting them to good use. This is also considered

market research within a company. People are paid to listen to the guest’s comments, and as a

result Target has a huge amount of returning guests.

Target also uses ‘energizing’. Target generally has a positive flow through word of mouth.

Target could benefit from using ‘talking with groundswell’. Target could benefit from engaging

in more social media. Possibly posting a viral video, engaging in social networks, or joining the

blogosphere. This type of exposure could benefit Target because it will reach a broader range of people.

Li, C. & Bernoff, J. (2008). groundswell. Boston, MA: Forrester Research.

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/6abssk 

1946- the Dayton Company’s bylaws establish the practice of giving 5% of pretax profits to the community. It is only the second American company to establish that.

1970- Target Recognizes the very first Earth Day and supports volunteers who plant trees and clean parks.

1983- President Reagan awards the Dayton Hudson Foundation with the President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities Medal of Honor.

1989- Target Sponsors Will Steger and The Trans-Antarctica Expedition to call attention to environmental issues.

1997- The Target Good Neighbor Volunteers Program, now called Target Volunteers receives the President’s Service Award from President Clinton. This is the highest national honor given for corporate volunteer efforts.

2001- Target launches a partnership with America’s Second Harvest- The Nation’s Food Bank, which donates overstock grocery items.

2003- Forbes names Target “One of the most philanthropic companies.”

2004- Salute to Greatness Award given by The King Center in Atlanta, Ga.

2005- Target donates more than 3.3 million pounds of food equaling 2.6 million meals to those in need.

2005- Target begins giving $2 million each week to the communities it serves.

2005- Named one of the Top 30 companies for executive women by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE).

2005- Keep America Beautiful Awards Target with 1^st place National Award for Waste Reduction.

2005- Forbes ranks Target ‘Most Charitable Company.

2005- Barron’s Magazine ranks Target 6^th “Most Respected Company.”

2006- DiversityBusiness.com ranks Target in the Top 50 corporations for supplier diversity.

2007- 25 year commitment recognition

2007-Ethisphere Council ranks Target “One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies.”

2007- Universum Communications ranks Target in the Top 10 “Ideal Employers.”

2008- Fortune ranks Target 11^th for “America’s Most Admired Companies.”

2008- Business Week ranks Target “One of the World’s Most Innovative Companies.”

Target continues to gain many awards and achievements because they put community first. Target is dedicated to giving back to schools by using success due to their REDcard. Target also is known for valuing their employees through diversity.

Target Corporation, (2008, June 24). Message posted to

           http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031696

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/6obxtn