My Favorite Book This Semester

Recently I received the assignment of selecting my favorite book of the semester from my course Social Media Principles at Ohio Northern University. I have to admit this was a challenging task at first. I felt all three books: “Mesure What Matters”, “Real-Time Marketing and PR”, and “Share This” were beneficial and gained much PR and Marketing knowledge.  After thinking about which book I truly took the most from I came to the conclusion “Share This” was my favorite overall.

This book provides outstanding practical guidance from some of our industry’s most distinguished practitioners. Social media presents significant opportunities to the PR industry, and understanding and embracing these is critical to business success. I felt the book challenged me and expanded the horizons of PR and marketing in today’s digital age by providing excellent insight into how to succeed in the industry.

I would recommend this book to any PR professional or student who is looking to gain a better understanding of the industry and all things social media.

Finals Week

Finals week is simultaneously the most loved and hated week of every college kids semester. The week serves as a checkpoint throughout the year. Students know when they reach finals week, the end of the semester is here. The only thing standing between students and going home is a week of all nighters, re-learning a whole semesters worth or work, and drinking more caffeine than ever before. However, the feeling you get once you make it through finals week is the ultimate satisfaction. You are exhausted, but the sense of triumph has never been more present than when you walk out of the last final. I don’t want to say I hate finals week because I really don’t think I do. Most students would laugh at that remark, but I have to admit some part of me enjoys the late nights and sense of accomplishment you get once you are done. I wish the best of luck to my fellow classmates with their finals and want them to know it is never too late to send a nice appreciation email to your professors to try and earn a little grace    

Why Nothing Compares To Snow Skiing

You know that feeling when you can’t stop looking at something because you cant believe how beautiful it is? That feeling when words are no longer a method of voicing your opinion, and all that you can do is take in the sheer beauty of what you are looking at? If so you have probably made it to the top of a mountain without falling off the ski lift. The view from the top of a mountain is unlike any other and the funny thing is, when you are sitting there taking in the amazing views you don’t even realize the best part is yet to come.

The view from the top of a mountain is unlike anything else you can imagine, but conquering the mountain is when you get the ultimate rush. Once you realize how long you have been staring at the breathtaking view your mind starts to shift the focus on the question, how the hell am I actually going to make it down the mountain without eating snow for lunch.

You begin to scan the mountain and plan your route. Once you figure out your best route you finish preparing mentally. The IPod comes out and now its time to find the perfect song to power you through this run. If you are like me you will pick something upbeat and motivating. Now you are ready, you planned your route, picked your music, and checked your gear. You approach the edge of the mountain, tighten your grip on your poles, wait for your song to hit that perfect spot, and drop in. 

This is where skiing truly doesn’t even compare to other sports. As you are flying down this massive piece of land pushing through the wind, making sharp cuts, and sending fresh powder flying you cant help but feel the most amazing rush. You feel at one with everything around you. You aren’t thinking about anything except how amazing it is to be flying down this mountain and feeling so in control.  

Once you make it down you can take a break at the lodge, grab a beer, talk some smack to your buddies then do it all over again. Skiing is one of the most liberating feelings I have ever experienced and I hope everyone gets to have the same rush at some point in their life.  

ONU Holiday Spectacular

This past Saturday Rachel and I went to the ONU holiday spectacular. Rachel had never been to the show before, and I wanted to make sure she had the opportunity to see the show before graduating in May. This was my second time going and I could not have been more pleased. As Rachel and I were driving home we talked about how great it is to be able to go to a school that works so hard to put together a performance like that.

We did not see one mistake throughout the entire show. To me, this exemplifies just how hard the theater department has worked. I will be sure to come back to Ada after graduating to see the show. The Holiday Spectacular is a signature ONU performance. Every year the shows sell out. The show always deviates slightly from the original running. This year a new feature was elf on the shelf. I thought they did a really nice job with this particular section. The elf whose name I do not know was very adept to his character. He was able to be an acrobat and maintain his stage boundaries.

I am excited for the years to come and know the show will not disappoint. If you have never made it to the show I highly suggest you buy a ticket next year. The tickets are $5 and are worth every penny. Be sure to buy your tickets early before they sell out, this show is a community favorite.

Amazon Releases New Information Regarding Drone Delivery

Only one week after tech fans stormed their local malls and electronic stores on Black Friday, Amazon released information regarding drone delivery. The delivery method is called Amazon Prime Air. I see huge potential for this new delivery method, but like many I am skeptical. Ever since Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced the possibility of drone delivery two years ago people have hypothesized what the online buying experience will be like. Amazon is leading the way in logistics with this innovative approach, but what does this mean, and what questions are being asked.

Lets start with a time frame. Amazon Prime Air is still far from ready to be deployed. The technology is here, but the legal side of the matter is what will take some time to sort through. I don’t anticipate this delivery method being utilized for at least 5 more years.  Drones are still a very new advancement in our society. Ever since the turn of the century regulatory has been the primary focus in America. We have seen time and time again when a new product is released, and unaccounted incidents start to occur resulting in lawsuits, deaths, injuries, and ultimately reform of the legal structure. 

What could this mean for our society moving forward once the legal issues are worked out? I believe this could be very beneficial yet simultaneously have negative repercussions. Starting in our earliest years humans are formed into consumers. We are consumers in a society that thrives on mass production and the need for more. I don’t mean to sound pessimistic here, but I feel like this new feature is only going to add to our already automated culture. We thrive on convenience. How can we do this and that all while exerting the least amount of energy possible? This will be huge for those last minute things you need, but at what cost.

I am not against Amazon Prime Air, I simply hope as a society we make sure to look at the big picture. I am trying to imagine the future and keep picturing Amazons’ competitors adding drone delivery methods, and drone services. Before we know it we could be looking up in the sky in any major city and seeing drones flying everywhere delivering everything from produce to electronics. Who knows what the future will hold, my only advice is to be skeptical and ask questions before buying in.