Communicating Strategically, with Jai

Let's be honest. Unless you have been under a rock or have purposely chosen to disconnect from the internet, social media plays a significant role in our day-to-day life activities. You go to a popular restaurant with an amazing food presentation... *click* you take a picture to share your experience with your Facebook friends. Your child earned an award for something great. Of course, you want to showcase it and tell your followers how proud you are of them. It has become so second nature. Social media offers an atmosphere for connectivity, creativity and building relationships with like-minded people. However, where there are positives, there are also negatives. Since the beginning of the rise in popularity of the internet, many parents have feared about the use of their children, especially teens. There are been many studies that have linked social media to things such as an increase in depression in teens. In this blog, we will explore the social media world of teens and unders...

My favorite thing I would tell clients back when I worked in brand strategy and marketing was, "Audiences buy into the story before they buy the brand." Anyone can sell an item, but it takes real work to sell an idea. We are constantly being bombarded with a seemingly never-ending flood of services and products. Every day, people are popping up with businesses and wanting you to buy their t-shirt, lip gloss, or let them provide a service for you. But what makes them different? How can they stand out?  One thing that can absolutely set businesses apart from the rest is storytelling. Storytelling has been an art form weaved in the fabric of culture since the beginning of time. But what does telling a story have to do with branding? Competition is everywhere, and people's attention span has grown very short. That's why creating a narrative for brands, i.e., storytelling, is a necessary tool in order to not only acquire an audience's attention but also retain it. It i...

The late and great Tupac Shakur proposed the question, "Is [Are] you a friend or foe?" in his song 1996 song 'Can't C Me.' In a cyber-driven world marked by information overload and digital interconnectivity, the trust that Americans have in mainstream media has become quite an issue. Mainstream media was once a go-to authority that shaped public opinion. Now, the confidence that we once had in those outlets has reached a historic low. In a study conducted by Gallup, nearly 70 percent of American adults say they either do not have very much confidence or none at all in TV, newspaper or radio. This begs the question of what factors have contributed to this drastic change over the years. Is the media for us if it's not by us? Are they a friend or foe? The complexity of the relationship between the media and the public has evolved over time, being molded by differing political views, technological advancements, juicy scandals, fake news and more. These factors ha...

Social media has become a significant part of our lives. It has changed how we communicate with one another, stay connected and disseminate information. The evolution of socials has come a long way in only a short amount of time, starting from simple systems of information-sharing to now more complex structures that are flawlessly intertwined in our everyday routines.  Innovation, adaption and transformation are some of the constant themes that have been seen in the evolution of social media. What started as basic chatrooms, email and bulletin board messaging is now evolving into its own immersive universe... or metaverse as it's been called. Chatrooms and bulletin board systems made their first appearance in the late 70's. These systems were text-based platforms that people would use to converse with one another in real time. These could be seen in early internet services like AOL Instant Messenger and Yahoo Messenger. Users would interact on these databases to share informati...

When I leave the house, my checklist always goes, "Car keys? Check. Phone? Check. Wallet? Check. Phone... Double check." Mobile devices are so essential to our daily lives that it is nearly impossible to function without them effectively. The innovation of cell phones has ultimately shaped our lives and routines around the function of using them. The devices we carry are so powerful that trends from one part of the globe can influence the other.  On May 10, 2023, in Stockholm, Beyonce's Renaissance World Tour began, and the mobile app TikTok went crazy, showcasing the different parts of her performance. The most popular part of her show was her performing the sound "Energy," where she uses the lyrics, "Look around, everybody on mute..." and pauses the song for a moment, then continues singing. When the tour began, no one participated in the moment of silence due to not knowing. As the tour continued, by August 14, on her third night in Atlanta, Georgia...

The Internet. Decades ago, we could not imagine having the capability to have everything you need to know at the press of a button or stroke of a key. But now, we are here. Information, advertisements, social media and much more surround us on a moment-by-moment basis. For online contributors, it can get hard to remain relevant and seen without simply showing up online with nothing valuable to add to the online space. Since there is so much information being pushed out to the people, organizations have to work harder and take more strategic steps to slice through the nonsensical clutter to reach their audience.  Why is this even important? Does it really matter about the content businesses and brands put online as long as they are being seen? For those organizations, yes. It matters. By providing value and merely not showing up helps establish the entity as a trustworthy and credible authority in all matters that pertain to its niche. Companies offering insightful and meaningful in...

Hey communicators and welcome back to my professional blog! The last time we all were here, we shared this space to exchange our thoughts about Leadership and Media Strategies. Now, we are back and the course has switched just a little. Every week, I will now exchange my thoughts, still being a strategic communications professional, but under the guise of emerging media. For the returning readers, thank you so much for coming back, and, for the new readers, thank you as well and I look forward to your continued return. Before we get started on the new entry, all me to reintroduce myself... My name is Jatavia, sometimes I prefer Jai (pronounced like the tenth letter of the alphabet), but either is fine. I am a Master's Degree candidate at Troy University, pursuing my degree in Strategic Communication and graduating in the next few months. How exciting! As of now, I work for a leading news station as a Digital Content Producer in Georgia. I've been in this career for a year and a...

Dear Strategic Communicators, as we gather here for the final chapter of our thrilling course on Leadership and Media Strategies, I find myself filled with a bittersweet mix of nostalgia and gratitude. We have traversed a transformative path together, exploring the intricate relationship between leadership and media in today's dynamic world. Join me as I bid farewell to this remarkable journey and express our most profound appreciation for your unwavering support and enthusiasm. As I reflect on our journey together, I recall the many discussions, debates, and moments of realization that have shaped our understanding of leadership in the media world. From examining the effects of social media on leadership communication to understanding effective crisis management strategies, we explored an array of topics that expanded our perspectives. We shared ideas, challenged assumptions, and created an environment of collective growth. In today's digital age, where digital platforms and m...

Greetings, and welcome to the latest edition of our strategic communication journey! In this session, we will delve into the exciting topic of measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Prepare to immerse yourself in the realm of data analysis, gain valuable insights, and even enjoy a dash of humor along the way. Please don't forget your magnifying glasses as we embark on this thrilling adventure! Let's begin! The Numbers Game & Crunching More Than Just Cereal: Picture yourself in a situation where you find yourself deeply engrossed in a plethora of spreadsheets with an immense amount of numerical data to analyze.  In order to gauge the effectiveness of marketing strategies, it is not just a matter of crunching numbers but also involves extracting valuable insights from the vast sea of data available. In this regard, it would be apt to consider yourself as a data detective, armed with a keen sense of humor and an unwavering determination to unravel the mystery beh...

In today's digital age, brands, celebrities, and influencers must manage crises effectively. Social media has the ability to escalate a crisis and damage reputations rapidly. However, with a good understanding of potential risks and effective use of social media, these entities can proactively prevent and mitigate situations. Our blog post will provide actionable strategies and best practices for brands, celebrities, and influencers to avoid poor crisis management on social media. The key to effective crisis management lies in the ability to maintain a genuine and consistent online persona. Whether you're a brand, a celebrity, or an influencer, it is crucial to convey your values and beliefs in an authentic manner that resonates with your audience. This approach helps to cultivate a strong sense of trust and credibility, which can serve as a solid foundation when navigating challenging situations. By staying true to yourself and your audience, you can build a loyal and supporti...

Over the past few years, the advertising sector has experienced notable transformations. Businesses can now collect copious amounts of data about individuals as they go about their daily activities. They observe, monitor, and scrutinize personal details such as the online platforms we access and the goods we buy. This level of intrusion has sparked concerns regarding our privacy. In this blog entry, we will explore further how advertisers infringe on your privacy and provide recommendations on how to safeguard your personal information. Let's clarify what we mean by privacy. Privacy means having the ability to control what information about yourself is collected, shared, and used by others. In regards to advertising, this means having the right to decide what personal data is collected about you and how it is used. Unfortunately, this right is often being violated by advertisers who are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to gather and exploit our personal information witho...

Do you know what they say about communication? It’s the key to any successful relationship.  The ability to communicate openly and honestly can make all the difference, whether it is personal or professional. As for internal communications within the company, that is no different. Actually, it's more important than that because misunderstandings and misinterpretations can take place without open and confidential information, which results in a wide range of problems that have an impact on profitability. So how is it possible for an organization to develop a culture of open communication? Let's come in and see how it goes. Step 1: Lead by Example A leader plays an essential role in setting the tone for open communications. It is imperative that you make yourself clear, honest, and accessible. You have to actively listen to your employees and accept their ideas and concerns, as well as be open to feedback. Do not speak of the need for openness, but demonstrate it. Your team will ...