IAMS 1001 Donations Telethon

On Sunday I had the opportunity to be a part of the IAMS 1001 Donations telethon for the Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS), broadcasted on ShawTV. One of the electives I chose in the CreComm program was Live Television Production, a class that allows students to participate in a variety of different areas involved with organizing a telethon. I wanted to take this class because I watched the WHS telethon last year and it looked like a great time. Not only did I know I’d have a ton of fun in this class, but I was excited to get the opportunity to work on my on-camera skills while working towards a good cause.

I’ve been on T.V. a number of times for different things, but lately in the PR major we’ve been learning how to be a part of an interview with the goal of voicing your key messages. Although I took the role as the interviewer for the latter part of the telethon as opposed to an interviewee (as I’m most likely to be throughout my career) I still had key messages I wanted to deliver in short and concise sound bytes.  

In addition to hosting part of the telethon, a few classmates and I were part of the fundraising team, as our class wanted to donate funds to the WHS as well as time. Our fundraising team came up with the idea of selling homemade dog and cat treats before the telethon as well as during. We knew other people would want to take part in helping with this initiative, so we invited different high school cooking classes across the city to help us make treats.

It was an overall great experience and I know everyone had a good time participating. Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, adopted pets, or came down to the WHS to hang out with us. We all appreciate the help and support from all those involved, and I’m looking forward to watching next year’s telethon. 

Click here for a video recap of our fundraising initiative.

Andrea Pelletier - Clothing Designer

Andrea Pelletier was one of the designers for the Red Dress Gala & Fashion Show '13. She has a very unique eye for fashion, and I'm proud to say she was the designer of the red dress I wore that evening. The bright colours and eye catching patterns she chooses to work with bring her designs to life and stand out among the mass market.

Winnipeg's Finest - Events Tonight

Two of my former guests, Laina Hughes and Amy Tuckett, are hosting events tonight to highlight the work they've done for their Independent Professional Projects. Laina will be launching her first book, Wolseley Stories tonight at 7:30 at McNally Robinson at Grant Park Shopping Centre. All are welcome to attend. Amy will be having a screening of Hell on Hells, a video documentary about the effects of mandatory heels in the workplace. Her screening is sold out, but I wish her all the best!

Good luck tonight ladies. Knock 'em dead!

Winnipeg's Finest

January 16th - Episode 7: Author, Laina Hughes

Laina is a Creative Communications student at Red River College, who has just published her first book. Like all second year students in the program, Laina was asked to come up with an idea for an Independent Professional Project (IPP). As a lover of literature and a woman who spends a lot of time at the library, Laina quickly decided the IPP was a great opportunity for her to write her first book, Wolseley Stories. Laina's lived in the Wolseley area for most of her life, and appreciates the uniqueness her neighbourhood has to offer. Over the past year she's gathered many different stories from different people who live or have lived in the Wolseley area, and has complied them, along with her own stories, into one neatly packaged book.

Laina will be having a book launch, next Thursday at 7:30pm at McNally Robinson in Grant Park Shopping Centre; a perfect time to pick up your copy of Wolseley Stories and to get it signed by the soon to be #1 best selling author.

But until then...

I introduce you to one of Winnipeg's Finest, Laina Hughes.

• Podcast Now Available

Alanna Tinsley-Roy - Fashion Designer

Part of planning my Red Dress Gala included making video profiles of the designers who contributed some of their pieces to the fashion show. Part of the reason I wanted to take on this event as my end of the year project is because I knew there would be a lot of opportunity to use the skills I learned and harnessed through journalism, advertising, and media production. I didn't have any video production skills going into CreComm, and it was something I quickly fell in love with.

Below is a video I shot and edited of recent MC College graduate, Alanna Tinsley-Roy, one of five designers who took part in the Red Dress Gala.

Time Management...

I started this blog last fall as a requirement of the CreComm program at Red River College. I wasn’t sure how much I would like blogging, but after doing it for a couple of months, I really got into it. Lately I’ve had so many other projects on the go that require a lot of my time, and unfortunately I haven’t been posting on this blog as often as I’d like to. Ironically, some of my other projects have included maintaining a blog I created for the Red Dress Gala& Fashion Show I organized in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF). The HSF liked the work I did for my third party event blog so much that they asked me to create and maintain a blog for a shoe auction they’re hosting in April. So although it may seem like I don’t blog anymore, I am posting on two other blogs that take time to manage, and I invite you to check them out. As for the other projects I have been or are currently involved with, here’s a brief list in no particular order:

·         Nov/Dec internship with Brookline Public Relations in Calgary

·         Red Dress Gala held February 13^th at Stereo Nightclub

·         Blogging for the HSF

·         Making and selling homemade dog and cat treats to raise money for the Winnipeg Humane Society – in preparation for a live telethon being held on March 17^th

·         Organizing a battle of the bands event to promote Red River Radio (RRR), as well as to announce the winners of the RRC student election

·         Hosting Winnipeg’s Finest on RRR

·         Working on an integrated marketing campaign for FriendMatch

·         ....the list is endless...

Some of the projects I’m involved with are mandatory, and some are voluntary. I’ve always been the type to volunteer for almost anything and everything, as a way of exploring different things and helping to take the load off of someone else. I’m still learning how to manage my time as I do like having different projects going on at once, but I do need to remember to incorporate some me time. 

As for right now my main focus is on finishing the CreComm program with pride in the work I’ve had the opportunity to create. Classes end the first week of April, followed by another three-week internship I’ll be doing with Kildonan Place Shopping Centre in the communications department. There are still many things I’m looking forward to in the upcoming months that are bound to keep me on a tight schedule, but I promise to make a stronger effort to maintain this blog.

Stay with me...

IPPs = Busy Busy Busy!

It's a busy time of year for us second year CreComm students. For the past year we've all been working on our IPPs (Independent Professional Projects), and a lot of them are starting to wrap up. As most of you know, for my project I've chosen to organize a Red Dress Gala & Fashion Show in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, on February 13th. Although I knew from the very beginning I wanted to do an event as my year long project, many other students have written books, created websites, filmed documentaries...the list can go on forever.

There are so many talented students in the CreComm program, and it's been great seeing everyone's hard work come to life.

Good luck with your projects everyone! Show 'em what you got!

Winnipeg's Finest

November 5th - Episode 5: Philanthropist, Amanda Furst

Amanda is a philanthropist and co-founder of Growing Opportunities International (GO!) GO! is an organization that seeks to improve the lives of those living in rural communities within developing countries, through a variety of different projects. Amanda’s desire to create this organization came about while she was helping to build a small school in Rwanda. After taking on such an important project Amanda didn’t want the projects to end, and has been helping to strengthen communities primarily in Rwanda and Tanzania over the last few years. 

I introduce you to one of Winnipeg’s Finest, Amanda Furst!

• Podcast Available

My Future Theme Song

For the past few weeks I've been in Calgary working at Brookline Public Relations for a 3-week internship (more on that in another post.) Yesterday we had a staff potluck and during our meal, one of my co-workers showed us a slide show she made of the agency's highlights of 2012. The song choice she used instantly caught my attention and I've been practically playing it on repeat ever since.

After paying close attention to the lyrics, I've decided that one day, once I reach a certain point in my life, that Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys, will forever by the theme song to my life.

[Nicki Minaj]
Spirit of Marilyn calling me, audibly
Bawling she, said that she would never leave
Continued to torture me
Telling me to come with her
Underneath my comforter
And she brought a gun with her
Pills and some rum with her
Took me on the balcony telling me to jump with her
Yeah I’m in the ghost but I ain’t doing stunts with her
I ain’t tryna be that haters wanna see that
But I got ‘em aggy cause I win the gold like Gabby

[Alicia Keys]
She’s just a girl and she’s on fire
Hotter than a fantasy, longer like a highway
She’s living in a world and it’s on fire
Fill with catastrophe, but she know she can fly away

Oh, she got both feet on the ground
And she’s burning it down
Oh, she got her head in the clouds
And she’s not backing down

[Chorus]
This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She’s walking on fire
This girl is on fire

[Alicia Keys]
Looks like a girl but she’s a flame
So bright she can burn your eyes
Better look the other way
You can try but you’ll never forget her name
She’s on top of the world
Hottest of the hottest girls say

Oh, we got our feet on the ground
And we’re burning it down
Oh, got our head in the clouds
And we’re not coming down

[Chorus]
This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She’s walking on fire
This girl is on fire

[Alicia Keys]
Everybody stands as she goes by
Cause they can see the flame that’s in her eyes
Watch her when she’s lighting up the night
Nobody knows that she’s a lonely girl
And it’s a lonely world
But she gon’ let it burn baby burn baby

[Nicki Minaj]
Dear God, If you’re here God
Make the fire disappear when they stare God
Take away my fear when they interfere God
Do you fear God? Cause I fear God
And in my backyard, that’s a deer, God
And that’s a horse ranch
And to my core fans keep repping me
Do it to the death of me
X in the box cause ain’t nobody checking me

[Chorus]
This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She’s walking on fire
This girl is on fire

Oh, oh, oh…

She’s just a girl, and she’s on fire

Winnipeg's Finest

October 29th – Episode 4: YouTube Sensation, Reid Valmestad

Reid is a Winnipeg YouTube sensation, and a very enthusiastic young man. He spends a lot of time creating hilarious and engaging YouTube videos that always attract a lot of attention. One of his most well known videos was Shit Winnipeggers Say, with a guest appearance by friend and co-worker, Jackie Lynn Doming. The video was uploaded this past February, and poked fun at a lot of the different stereotypes of Winnipeggers. This video was by far his most popular, coming in with over 33 thousand views. Although he enjoys scripting, shooting, and editing videos, his career goal right now is to become a MuchMusic VJ, and he’s currently in the middle of the audition process. 

I introduce you to one of Winnipeg’s Finest, Reid Valmestad!

• Podcast Now Available
  

Winnipeg's Finest

October 22nd - Episode 3: Personal Trainer, Andrea Smith

Andrea is a triple threat. A personal trainer, bikini model, and body builder makes Andrea a busy gal and an inspiration. Andrea strives to give women the motivation they need to become active, healthy, and to feel happy and accomplished with all of their hard work. Her business, Get Ready Girls (getreadygirls.ca) features a number of different fitness programs suited to different needs and interests and every day women. The three Cs Andrea chooses to live by are Confidence, Commitment, and Consistency, and she invites women to share in her mantra.

I introduce you to one of Winnipeg’s Finest, Andrea Smith!

• Podcast Now Available

Remember The Days

Remember the days when the soldiers had fought,
A lot of young people they seemed to have taught.
They taught us that we deserve to be free,
They fought for people like you and people like me.
They went to war and risked their lives,

And left their daughters, their sons, their wives.
They taught us all about like and love,
Those soldiers are now the bright stars above.
Remember the days when the soldiers had fought,
Me I know...they surely have taught. 

 

A poem I wrote in grade 7!

Winnipeg's Finest

October 15th - Episode 2: Photographer, Charmaine Mallari

Charmaine is a Winnipeg photographer who is fairly well known throughout the community. She has a strong passion for fashion photography and has worked with a large number of local

designers who are always impressed with her work. Her love of photography started when she was really young and just beginning to learn the ins and outs of a camera. Charmaine's business name, TRUE CHARISMA PHOTOGRAPHY, is reflection of how others have seen her throughout her life, and is a description she aspires to live up to everyday.

I introduce you to one of Winnipeg's Finest, Charmaine Mallari!

• Podcast Now Available

Hallo...what?

Last night my mom and I took my little cousin Trick-or-Treating. As a kid Halloween was one of the best days of the year. At school we would do our work in the morning as scheduled, but in the afternoon we always had a Halloween party! Everyone in the class would bring an array of snacks, we’d all get dressed up in our cute little costumes, and then we’d watch a Halloween movie. This happened until at least grade 6, if not later. After the school day was done, my friends and I would always hit up a few houses for candy on our way home to drop off our school bags, re-adjust our costumes, grab our heavy duty pillow cases, and head out the door. To be honest, I went trick-or-treating with my mom most of the time, even as I got older. She’s a fun lady that mother of mine. Sometimes my friends would join us too, but my mom always wanted to be part of the fun. She’d always be nice enough to make sure the people handing out candy knew that her son was at home and couldn’t come out because he had a cold, and people would always give us extra candy for him.

I’m an only child.

Nearly all the houses on every street had some sort of Halloween decorations, and there were always a handful of houses that went all out with flashy lights, sound effects, and scary monsters that pop out at you from behind the bushes. My mom would always try her best to get us to the really good parts of the city who hand out full sized chocolate bars, big bags of chips, and cans of pop. I remember going home 2 or 3 times in the middle of our journey, to empty my pillowcases so I can get more goods. I’d say having 5 sacks of candy makes for a successful Halloween night. I remember being able to trick-or-treat until about midnight, sometimes even 1 in the morning, which was perfectly fine because school was always cancelled the following day!

Fast forward to Halloween 2012.

Last night was nothing like I’ve just described. I barely saw any trick-or-treaters out and about, which may have had something to do with only 6 houses per block (if that) with their lights on. We started about 7:30pm and apparently that was a late start. Some of the houses we started off with gave us the last of their stash, as they were nearly out for the evening. Now I don’t think this was because they had a ton of little monsters at their door, but more because they likely bought one small bag of candy and figured that would do the trick. Some simply stopped handing out candy because there was only a trick-or-treater every half an hour or so, if not longer.

As we walked from one house with lights to the next, which was about 18 houses away, I asked my cousin what she did at school for Halloween. You know what they did at her school? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! No dress up. No party. No movies. No Halloween sing-alongs….nothing!

What’s going on? Is Halloween being phased out? Do people no longer believe in Halloween fun? What is it?

I loved Halloween as a kid, and I’m disappointed that this generation is not getting the chance to enjoy it the way I did. I feel like they’re getting ripped off BIG TIME! Some people have serious views about not participating in Halloween festivities, but what about everybody else?

So tell me folks, why do you think kids aren’t as excited about Halloween as they used to be? Why did people stop handing out candy? Why don’t parents take their kids out anymore? What happened to the school parties? Halloween dances? Costumes?

While you ponder, please enjoy this video of the sweetest halloween house, ever!
(Watch for at least 2 minutes to get the full effect)

Winnipeg's Finest

October 1st - Episode 1: Fashion Designer, Dee Karpa

Dee Karpa is a 24 year old local fashion designer. She moved to Winnipeg from Croatia when she was a little girl, and began her fashion journey when she was in high school. Her designs are inspired by the image of a powerful woman, and include a lot of dresses and business attire. Her upcoming events include her participation in the Red Dress Gala & Fashion Show, as well a White Project created to detach the stigma that is often linked to people with mental illnesses.

I introduce you to one of Winnipeg's Finest, Dee Karpa!
http://radio.rrc.ca/?p=168

The Super IPP

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A few weeks ago, a couple of classmates and I created a short video for our T.V. production class. We decided it would be funny to incorporate humour surrounding our Independent Professional Projects (IPPs).

Check it!

Name Calling? Spreading Rumours? Humiliation?

It still amazes me that there are still people out there who don’t see bullying as a serious offence. Many kids, teens, and yes, even adults are getting bullied every day. Some of them are lucky enough to have someone standing by them to help get them through their tough time, but not everyone is so lucky. 

My question is, at what level of bullying does a situation have to reach in order for it to be taken seriously. Name calling? Spreading rumours? Humiliation? Threats? Physical abuse? Who decides which one is more important to pay attention to than the other? The fact of the matter is, someone who is constantly being called names, can be just as traumatized by it as someone who has experienced physical abuse. There is no telling how much torment a person can handle and it’s not something that should be tested. 

For the past few days my Facebook and Twitter feeds have been filled with comments surrounding Amanda Todd’s suicide, a B.C. teen who took her own life on October 10^th after being bullied at school and online. While there were thousands upon thousands of comments from people who feel sorry for Todd and who want to see bullying as a thing of the past, there were still many insensitive people who posted comments showing happiness and disrespect regarding Amanda’s suicide. 

Its unfortunate that cyber bullying is growing and that as of right now, it’s not seen as a criminal offence unless it’s directly linked to a particular incident. People feel safe behind their computers when it comes to bullying someone online; it gives them a sense of anonymity and makes them feel powerful. Well, they are powerful. Their comment(s) in a sea of other negativity can be enough to push someone to their breaking point; to send someone over the edge; to lead someone into a plan to take their own life. 

Who wants that kind of power? 

Weeks before Amanda’s suicide, she sent out a video that was a cry for help. Since this morning her video has received over 1,600,000 views!