Final Press Release 4

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 14, 2008

Jo Olsen
Aggies for Africa Director
jo.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu
435-512-6955

AGGIES FOR AFRICA EXCEEDS GOAL FOR SHOE DRIVE
With more than a week left to donate, 1,754 pairs of shoes have been collected

Last year Aggies for Africa collected 500 pairs of shoes for their first annual shoe drive. When planning for the drive this year they wanted to exceed the goal so they decided to triple their efforts. The goal was set at 1,500 pairs of shoes. Three local businesses were involved as well as Ellis and Hillcrest elementary schools.

Thirteen students came to help count the shoes that had been collected and thrown into mounds in the Service Center located on the third floor of the Taggart Student Center. The count was 1,754 pairs of shoes, with a few hundred more to come.

“We will most likely quadruple our goal from last year. The support from the student body and the community has been overwhelming,” said Allie Gardner, campus relations committee chair of Aggies for Africa.

Aggies for Africa will still be accepting shoes in the Service Center until Friday, October 17. The shoes will then be given to Green Eyes in Africa, a non-profit organization based in Provo. They will then ship the shoes to Cameroon to be distributed to orphanages and communities where needed.

Jo Olsen
Aggies for Africa Director
jo.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu
435-512-6955

####

Final Media Pitch

Become financially independent despite the economic crisis

Nick,

Preston Parker, president of the Cache Valley Area Investors Association, is offering free financial advice and open conversation about various financial topics. Parker is holding meetings every other Thursday evening at the Cache Chamber of Commerce located at 160 N. Main, Logan.

Parker’s philosophy is that you can work in a job you love and within a matter of a few years you can make enough passive income that you don’t have to be concerned with your finances.

The meetings offer a non-threatening environment for anyone to come and share ideas and information about how to become financially independent.

I would like to meet with you at your convenience. Please contact me with questions and a time that we could meet. Thank you for your time.

Jo Olsen
Public Relations Director
CVAIA
435-512-6955
Jo.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu

Draft Press Release 4

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 9, 2008

Jo Olsen
Aggies for Africa Director
jo.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu
435-512-6955

AGGIES FOR AFRICA EXCEEDS GOAL FOR SHOE DRIVE
With more than a week left to donate, 1,754 pairs of shoes have been collected

Last year Aggies for Africa collected 500 pairs of shoes for their first annual shoe drive. When planning for the drive this year they wanted to exceed the goal so they decided to triple their efforts. The goal was set at 1,500 pairs of shoes. Three local businesses were involved as well as Ellis and Hillcrest elementary schools.

Thirteen students came to help count the shoes that had been collected and thrown into mounds in the Service Center located on the third floor of the Taggart Student Center. The count was 1,754 pairs of shoes, with a few hundred more to come.

“We will most likely quadruple our goal from last year. The support from the student body and the community has been overwhelming,” said Allie Gardner, campus relations committee chair of Aggies for Africa.

Aggies for Africa will still be accepting shoes in the Service Center until Friday, October 17. The shoes will then be given to Green Eyes in Africa, a non-profit organization based in Provo. They will then ship the shoes to Cameroon to be distributed to orphanages and communities where needed.

Jo Olsen
Aggies for Africa Director
jo.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu
435-512-6955

####

Draft Media Pitch

Become financially independent despite the economic crisis

Nick,

Preston Parker, president of the Cache Valley Area Investors Association, is holding meetings every other Thursday evening at the Cache Chamber of Commerce located at 160 N. Main, Logan. Parker is offering free financial advice and open conversation about various financial topics.

The meetings offer a non-threatening environment for anyone to come and share ideas and information about how to become financially independent.

Parker’s philosophy is that you can work in a job you love and within a matter of a few years you can make enough passive income that you are not unduly concerned with your finances.

I would like to meet with you at your convenience. Please contact me with questions and a time that we could meet. Thank you for your time.

Jo Olsen
Public Relations Director
CVAIA
435-512-6955
Jo.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu

FINAL PRESS RELEASE 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2008

Preston Parker
Founder/President
cachevaia@gmail.com
www.cvaia.com

BECOME FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT WITHOUT CHANGING JOBS
Preston Parker teaches how to be happy and financially secure doing a job you love

Logan, UT—President Parker began the Cache Valley Area Investors Association, CVAIA, a non-profit organization in July, 2007. His goal is to provide the knowledge to help people who are interested, become financially independent. “Find a job you love, you will do it better and ultimately make more money,” said Parker.

Parker believes that, “Money is not happiness after your basic needs are met.”

Parker also talks of the importance of earning passive income and not just active income. The difference is that passive income is making money whether or not you are thinking about it.

CVAIA meets together every other Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Cache Chamber of Commerce located at 160 North Main, Logan. Everyone is invited to come and be a part of a non-threatening environment where you can learn and ask questions about becoming financially independent.

People in America have ample opportunity and options to be able to work in a job they enjoy. Understanding and managing passive income makes this possible. There are many associations which are helping educate people in how to truly become financially independent. Cache Valley Area Investors Association based in Logan, Utah, is one such organization. It was founded in July 2007 and currently has 50 members.

Preston Parker
Founder/President
cachevaia@gmail.com
www.cvaia.com

####

Draft Press Release 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2008

Preston Parker
Founder/President
cachevaia@gmail.com
www.cvaia.com

PRESTON PARKER OFFERS IDEAS TO BECOME FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT

Cache Valley Area Investors Association provides the knowledge to become financially independent within three to 10 years.

Logan, Utah—President Parker began his non-profit organization in July, 2007. His goal is to provide the knowledge to help people who are interested, become financially independent. “Find a job you love, you will do it better and ultimately make more money,” said Parker.

Parker believes that, “Money is not happiness after your basic needs are met.”

Parker also talks of the importance of earning passive income and not just active income. The difference is that passive income is making money whether or not you are thinking about it.

CVAIA meets together every other Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Cache Chamber of Commerce located at 160 North Main, Logan. Everyone is invited to come and be a part of a non-threatening environment where you can learn and ask questions about becoming financially independent.

People in America have ample opportunity and options to be able to work in a job they enjoy. Understanding and managing passive income makes this possible. There are many associations which are helping educate people in how to truly become financially independent. Cache Valley Area Investors Association based in Logan, Utah, is one such organization. It was founded in July 2007 and currently has 50 members.

Preston Parker
Founder/President
cachevaia@gmail.com
www.cvaia.com

####

Final Press Release 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2008

James E. Muellenbach III, CEO
123 Healthy Way
Gary, IN 46401
877-765-4321
james@burgerplanet.com


BURGER PLANET INTRODUCES NEW HEALTHIER FOOD OPTIONS
Fitness guru Jayne Petersen teams up with Burger Planet to launch a comprehensive program to assist in healthy eating.

GARY, Ind.—Burger Planet announced that it has brought Jayne Petersen on board to help chefs develop healthier options for customers. Planet Burger has added five different types of fruit, a new line of gourmet salads and white meat chicken breasts to its menu. These items offer customers a healthier option when eating out.

"Burger Planet has been a leader in the Quick Service Restaurant industry in offering healthy menu choices. The company believes in encouraging customers to live healthier, active lifestyles and I have spent my life trying to teach women that lesson,” said Petersen.

Petersen, president and CEO of a successful health and fitness enterprise and bestselling author, has helped many women including Opal Whitcomb lose weight and keep it off.

James Muellenbach lll said, "Jayne Petersen and Burger Planet share a commitment toward health. The women Jayne Petersen has helped lose weight eat at Burger Planet.”

Petersen will be appearing with Burger Planet’s mascot, Corny the Clown at various events including Burger Planet’s kick-off ceremony, May 12, at their franchise located in Times Square in New York, New York.
Burger Planet was founded in 1934 by James E. Muellenbach l. Its headquarters are located in Gary, Indiana. As the leader of the Quick Service Restaurant Industry, Burger Planet has 8,921 franches in every state and 17 countries. They currently employ 48,272 people and have served more than 52 billion customers to date. For more information visit http://www.burgerplanet.com/

Jordan Olsen
Public Relations Director
jo.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu
435-512-6955

####

Draft Press Release 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2008

James E. Muellenbach III, CEO
123 Healthy Way
Gary, IN 46401
877-765-4321
james@burgerplanet.com


BURGER PLANET INTRODUCES NEW HEALTHIER FOOD OPTIONS
Fitness guru Jayne Petersen teams up with Burger Planet to launch a comprehensive program to assist in healthy eating.

GARY, Ind.—Burger Planet announced that it has brought Jayne Petersen on board to help chefs develop healthier options for customers. Planet Burger has added five different types of fruit, a new line of gourmet salads and white meat chicken breasts to its menu. These items offer customers a healthier option when eating out.

"Burger Planet has been a leader in the Quick Service Restaurant industry in offering healthy menu choices. The company believes in encouraging customers to live healthier, active lifestyles and I have spent my life trying to teach women that lesson,” said Petersen.

Petersen, president and CEO of a successful health and fitness enterprise and bestselling author, has helped many women including Opal Whitcomb lose weight and keep it off.

James Muellenbach lll said, "Jayne Petersen and Burger Planet share a commitment toward health. The women Jayne Petersen has helped lose weight eat at Burger Planet.”

Petersen will be appearing with Burger Planet’s mascot, Corny the Clown at various events including Burger Planet’s kick-off ceremony, May 12, at their franchise located in Times Square in New York, New York.
Burger Planet was founded in 1934 by James E. Muellenbach l. Its headquarters are located in Gary, Indiana. As the leader of the Quick Service Restaurant Industry, Burger Planet has 8,921 franches in every state and 17 countries. They currently employ 48,272 people and have served more than 52 billion customers to date. For more information visit http://www.burgerplanet.com/

Jordan Olsen
Public Relations Director
jo.olsen@aggiemail.usu.edu
435-512-6955

####

Final Press Release 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2008

Preston Parker
President ABC Real Estate LLC
123 Creative Way
Logan UT, 84341
801.555.4567


LOGAN COMPANY LOOKING FOR INVESTORS
President of ABC Real Estate announces implementation of simplified land-trust system to help people own their own homes.

Logan, Utah-Sept. 5, 2008- Preston Parker announced he is looking for investors to participate in his companies new use of a land-trust system that was developed by the Government in 1914 but simplified 20 years ago by Bill Gatten. Beneficiary-directed equity-holding land trust is the name of the system. It uses investors, creditors, sellers and resident beneficiaries in order to make a slow housing market profitable for everyone. “We want people to have an ownership mentality,” said Parker.

Those who are looking to invest in this system should have a credit rating of 680 and can expect a 20-30 percent return within two or three years of the initial investment.

Jo Olsen
Public Relations Director
1245 North 3256 West
Logan, Utah, 84321
435.512.6955

####

Draft Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2008

Preston Parker
President ABC Real Estate LLC
123 Creative Way
Logan UT, 84341
801.555.4567


LOGAN COMPANY LOOKING FOR INVESTORS
President of ABC Real Estate announces implementation of simplified land-trust system to help

Logan, Utah-Sept. 5, 2008- Preston Parker announced he is looking for investors to participate in his companies new use of a land-trust system that was developed by the Government but simplified 20 years ago by Bill Gatten.



Jo Olsen
Public Relations Director
1245 North 3256 West
Logan, Utah, 84321
435.512.6955

Letter to cousin

Dear Cousin,

I received your letter asking me to explain what public relations means to me. I think that someone working in the field of public relations acts as a liaison between his or her company and the media. Writing press releases and creating various types of portfolios are very common.

There are two types of PR, the first being external PR which is someone who works for a company or organization and interacts with the media and other companies. The second being someone who works for a company and works solely within the company to create a positive atmosphere between the employer and the employees.

I enjoy studying PR because I like to interact with a wide variety of people and I like representing people and organizations in a positive light. I would eventually like to do PR for a non-profit organization.

I hope that this has given you a better idea of what public relations is and its purpose within a company.


Sincerely,

Jo Olsen

Corey Flintoff speaks to media law class

Corey Flintoff, one of NPR's foreign correspondents spoke to my media law class last week. He spoke mostly of the war in Iraq and how he feels about the coverage that we're receiving from there. He said that it is very difficult for American reporters to get good interviews and articles because of the danger involved in being out in the streets. He said that if you choose to go out alone and try to interview someone in the street you wouldn't last five minutes. He also said that if you go out with armed soldiers and a news crew you would draw a lot of attention and that would also be a large risk to take. He said that many journalists leave out of frustration and so we end up getting most of our coverage from Iraqi reporters. What interested me about his presentation was a question someone asked about what story or stories he thought went largely uncovered. He said that he felt the conflicts across Africa were under covered. He talked about a "fatigue factor" involved with Africa. Many reporters feel like nothing is really changing and that they're covering virtually the same stories year after year. I remember I first became involved with the Aggies for Africa club because of a media class I took when and we covered a section on Africa and the reasons why American media sheds a hopeless light on anything having to do with that continent. We talked about the fact that there is actually a lot of good things happening there but for some reason our mainstream media chooses to only report the bad that is happening which makes the average American feel like there is nothing to be done and Africa isn't worth helping. I wish I had a solution to that problem. I feel like it's important to report the good and the bad to be able to reach a fair conclusion but I realize that would only happen in a perfect world. I do feel, however, that reporters in general could do a better job of looking for the positive stories occurring in Africa and urging their publishers to give them more coverage. Until that happens the general public will not feel a need to become involved. Let's make it happen.

African author to speak at USU

Last summer I read a book entitled A Long Way Gone. It was written by a man named Ishmael Beah. He was a boy from Sierra Leone who was kidnapped and forced to become a boy soldier. The book recalls his life as a boy soldier and the rehabilitation process back into society. I was very moved by his story and wished that I could meet him and ask him about his experiences. Part of that wish will soon come true. I'm a member of the A-team on campus which is in charge of facilitating new student orientation. There is a class offered to incoming freshman that begins the week before school and helps them adjust to college life. Part of the class is the "common literary experience." A book is chosen by a panel and read by every incoming freshman who takes the class. This year Ishmael's book was chosen. I was very excited to find out that a few thousand students would become familiar with the story of this boy soldier. I was even more excited when I found out that he would be coming to speak to us this summer. I can't wait to hear from a man who has lived through all the trials that he has. I hope that the students who read his book will be as inspired as I feel I have been by his words.

Rock for Rolls

Aggies for Africa has teamed up with Shine on Sierra Leone, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people in Sierra Leone come out of poverty. We are trying to raise money to build a bakery for a community in Sierra Leone. On Monday we are having a Rock Band competition with the grand prize being tickets to an exclusive Rock Band party in Los Angeles with guests including Beyonce, John Mayer and Usher. Bread has quickly become one of the biggest staples in Sierra Leone. By building a bakery we will be providing a means of income and a source of food for a whole community. It is exciting to be part of an organization that is proactive in helping make a difference. It seems so easy to look at large issues facing our nation and world and say that they are too big for one person to do anything about. Aggies for Africa has helped me see that any amount of effort is positive and that small actions can lead to big changes. Now I just need to find my costume so I can go rock out for a good cause!

Aggies for Africa night commute

The week after Invisible Children came to USU's campus Aggies for Africa hosted a night commute. In 2006 Invisible Children hosted a global night commute where young people from all across America walked together to a central location and slept overnight symbolizing what the children in Uganda have to do every night to escape the militia. We wanted to do something like that on a smaller scale. About 40 people showed up at the hub with white shirts and red X's on their chests ready to walk. We walked from campus down to a building by mainstreet where we watched a documentary about a boy named Emmy who was orphaned because of the AID's epidemic. Afterward we wrote letters to our congressman urging them to take notice and become involved in the conflicts affecting the African people. We walked back to campus where we slept overnight in the Living and Learning Center. It was a good opportunity to raise awareness and get a little exercise at the same time.

Invisible Children visit USU campus

On the third and fourth of April Invisible Children made a stop here at Utah State. A lot of people have no idea what to think when they hear that name. When you explain that thousands of children have to leave their homes every night and go sleep together in the city to avoid being abducted by local militia, many want to know how they can get involved. That is how Invisible Children got started in the first place. Three young college students wanted to travel to Uganda to find out more about the war that was raging there. What they found were thousands of these children who didn't have a home. They weren't accounted for by anyone. They were invisible. These three men started a non-profit organization to help the children. now there are less than 200 kids having to leave their villages every night. Invisible Children is dedicated to helping solve issues that arise from the ongoing conflicts in many parts of Africa. The organization is mainly comprised of college-age youth who are passionate about being involved. Three of those young people came to Utah State to raise awareness. They showed two films that told the stories of two different children affected by the conflicts in Uganda. Many eyes were opened to what's going on in the world around them. I just hope that those emotions felt during the films and the subsequent conversations translate into action on our part because if we choose not to act, who will?

China's role in Sudan

Some may ask why a country like China would care about Sudan.
An article from the Taipei Times states that major oil discoveries in south and central Sudan in 2000 may be a large factor.
According the the article, 80 percent of Sudan's oil export goes to China. Beijing is also investing millions in Sudan's infrastructure.
Airfields and roads are being built by Chinese workers in some of the oil-producing regions. China is also Sudan's largest supplier of arms.
Knowing this it is hard to see the Olympic Games being held in Beijing. The Olympics are supposed to be a symbol of peace and unity to many nations, but knowing that China's President Hu Jintao is knowingly supplying arms to the janjaweed militia responsible for killing thousands of innocent people, it is difficult to believe that China is a suitable place for such an event to be held.
I have read of Olympic athletes protesting China's involvement with numerous human rights violations and being reprimanded for doing so. I think that if we try to censor an athlete from his opinion about the atrocities taking place in Darfur and Tibet and yet we turn the other way when we see such atrocities on television then we are the ones in the wrong, not the athletes. Maybe it's time that we wake up to what's happening around us and stop living in apathy because there are many around the world who don't have that luxury.

CRISIS IN DARFUR

You may have heard mention of a place called Darfur. It may have been from a 15 second news clip or maybe when you accidentally switched your radio to NPR for a few seconds and heard of a genocide happening there.

After the Holocaust the phrase “never again” became popular with the idea that as a human race we would never again allow such an atrocity to occur without stepping in and stopping it.

That being said, it’s sad that many of us are not aware of the same atrocities happening today not only in Darfur but other regions of the world as well.

You may be asking how this affects you or how you could possibly make a difference. One of the reasons that these genocides continue is because too many of us are complaisant with doing nothing thinking that there is nothing that can be done.

Some, however, aren’t content with that answer. If you believe that there really is something that can be done then there are a lot of resources available to you.

Savedarfur.org is an excellent website that not only provides a history and an overview of what is going on in Darfur but it also gives many ways that you can become involved by writing letters to local and national officials, donating money, holding bake sales or concerts to raise money and a plethora of other ideas. It also contains a blog with updated information about the ongoing struggle.

Genocideintervention.net is another very informative website providing history and current situations mainly happening in Africa. Students at Swarthmore College started it in the fall of 2004. The founders have set up a program with the African Union, a peacekeeping force in Darfur, to allow average Americans the opportunity of helping through donations that go directly to those in need, specifically helping women and girls who are in refugee camps in Northern Darfur. Another very useful tool to become involved is an events map that marks locations of where events are taking place across the country.

Thedarfurblog.blogspot.com is a blog created by Orikinla Osinachi, a self-proclaimed Christian Pacifist. The blog includes several videos from BBC that provide a different look at the genocide in Darfur. The latest entry talks about Steven Spielberg and eight Nobel Peace laureates who are threatening to boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to protest against the role of China in Darfur. There is an average of one new post per month, which isn’t a lot. I would recommend looking at the blog on savedarfur.org. It is kept more up to date.

There are many ways of educating yourself and becoming involved. All it takes is one person to start a positive revolution. Don’t wait for someone else to do it.

JCOM 2300- Press Release Assignment

1.
From Chaco's Press Release page: http://chacousa.com/Portal.aspx?CN=9F24101BC5B7&MN=85C1703521CF

2.
An article in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent entitled Chaco moving operations to China reports that by 2009 all of chaco's footwear will be manufactured in China. The General Manager Ed Wieland said that about 50 jobs will be eliminated because of the move but 10 to 12 of those employees will be placed in other positions. Weiland states that cost and also the defect rate are lower in China and that 95% of all footwear is manufactured in China. The article was very short and did not address the fact that many customers are outraged with idea of such an environmentally friendly company moving all of it's manufacturing to China. It also didn't talk about any of the things that Mark Paigen, owner and founder of Chacos, spoke of in the press release. For the most part it was a very neutral article just stating the facts of what the company is doing. It contained no opinion whatsoever.

3.
I chose to look at Chaco because I myself am a customer, owning five pair of Chaco sandals. I wasn't aware that they were going to be moving all of their manufacturing overseas until I read the press release. I have to say that I was disappointed with the decision but was also very impressed with the way the press release was written. Mark Paigen who is the owner and founder of the company wrote the press release with almost all of the content dedicated to answering customer emails. It included a question or concern that a customer had and was followed by Paigen's response. There were about 10 customer's questions that he answered. He didn't shy away from including some difficult questions from customers. In my eyes, especially being an actual customer, I felt that the press release was very effective.
The story that was written was relevant to the announcement that Mark Paigen made in his press release but it didn't include any of the customer complaints that Paigen addressed. I felt that the press release was much more informative than the article that was written.

Jordan Olsen

Positioning Assignment

I am very interested in working for a humanitarian non-profit organization. I would like to work in either the marketing or public relations side of an organization. As I have been a part of the journalism department at Utah State University I have developed an interest in helping solve some of the global issues that we face. I have been involved with an organization on campus called Aggies for Africa. We have done many different types of fundraisers in order to start a micro-finance project in Gisenyi Rwanda.

In order to work for a humanitarian non-profit organization I need to secure a position as a public relations intern working with the communications director of the Genocide Intervention Network or other similar organization. I want to get a job as a public relations specialist and eventually work my way up to communications director for a humanitarian NPO.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations. In 2006 there were about 243,000 public relations specialist positions in America. The median annual earning for a public relations specialist was $47,350 in May 2006.

One of the goals that I have is graduating from Utah State in spring of 2010 with a bachelor’s in journalism with an emphasis in public relations and also a bachelor’s in speech communication. I would also like to pursue a Master’s in communication. I would like to finish graduate school in the fall of 2012.

Another goal I have is to make contact and build a relationship with three different public relations firms and three NPO’s before I graduate. This will help me achieve my goals of:

· Getting an internship for the summer of ’09.

· Contacting and sending my resume to eight potential employers.

· Interviewing with three of those organizations.

Focusing on these goals that I have set will help me stay focused on my schooling and eventual employment with a humanitarian NPO. They will also help me achieve a competitive advantage over other potential employees by making contacts early on and understanding and becoming a part of the industry.

Talking Points

Communication Skills

· I am able to express new ideas to a diverse group of people.

· I enjoy listening to other’s ideas and concerns and helping resolve any problems.

· I am very outgoing and enthusiastic and relate well with people.

Leadership

· I have been involved in many leadership positions academically, religiously, and civically.

· I am willing to lead where I see a need but also be a follower when appropriate.

· I enjoy motivating others to accomplish goals and tasks.

Personal Interest and Involvement

· I am very involved with a group at Utah State University that raises awareness and money to stop the genocides that are occurring in Africa.

· I have read books and keep myself informed with the current situations through magazines, internet, and newspapers.

· I am very passionate and dedicated about humanitarian work.