Crisis Communications and Social Media

If you have been following my Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google+ accounts for the past few months, you might have been wondering why “#NewhouseSM4” has been included in most of my posts. Hopefully, by now you’ve figured out that #NewhouseSM4 is the Social Media Theory and Practice class I’m taking at Newhouse. I apologize for flooding your feeds and I hope you learned a thing or two about social media!

Thanks to @Dr4WARD and our wonderful TA, @Adelynlee, this past semester I learned how to become a social media expert on some of the most modern platforms. I hope to be able to apply my new background in social media to my future career in the communications industry. Overall, I’ve become aware that the social media industry is hectic, fun and very fast paced. It constantly evolves and the only way to keep up is by being an active social media influencer on a day to day basis.

Our final requirement for #NewhouseSM4 was to collaborate in groups to educate our fellow peers on a subject that relates to social media. Since most of my team members have backgrounds in PR, we decided to create the project: “Mange Your Crisis Using Social Media.” Crisis Communications and social media are vital skills that all PR practitioners utilize. In order to obtain valid research and a better understanding on how social media is used in crisis communications, we interviewed several industry professionals. Thank you for all of your help and your contributions to our presentation: @joshmduke, @michaelhayes, @dcraig, @MHJohnston.

My group presented our PowerPoint presentation on April 22, 2013 and the class participated using the hashtag, #NHCrisisComm.  If you weren’t able to catch our presentation in class or follow along with #NHCrisisComm, have no fear, storify is here! Below is a recap of the highlights from our presentation. Additionally, a copy our presentation was posted on SlideShare and you can view it here.

Just wanted to give a shout out to my awesome group members: @Callan_Young, @RadioRashaud and @AshleyJSeigel!

Fatoosh Tuesday: Pass(on)over the Leftovers

Preparing a Passover seder for a table of hungry, judgmental Jews isn’t easy. It’s difficult to satisfy your guests when you’re not allowed to include leavened bread, wheat, barley, rye, spelt or oats into your meal. However, with a little bit of online research, I have discovered some incredible looking recipes.

So if you’re like me and following a strict Passover diet this week, feast your eyes on these delicious dishes:

Spiced Apple Cake via Hungry Rabbit

Matzo Chocolate-Mint Ice Cream Cake via Martha Stewart

Potato Latkes via Chow

Savory Egg White Matzo Brei with Leeks via Sophistimom

A #NewhouseGLDSM Night at the Herg

 

 

On March 20, Newhouse presented a Global Leaders in Digital and Social Media Speaker Series in the Herg auditorium. Chuck Hemann, group director of analytics for W20 Group and co-author of Digital Marketing Analytics: Making Sense of Consumer Data in a Digital World, gave a presentation on his knowledge of how companies like Red Bull, the Hershey Company, and Intel turn big data into actionable insights about their audiences. Below is a Storify that recaps the night:

Syracuse is Social Media Savvy

1. My #NewhouseSM4 class welcomed guest speaker Kate Brodock, Syracuse University’s Executive Director of Digital & Social Media, to our class earlier this week. Kate oversees all of SU’s various social media accounts and discussed how Syracuse uses digital and social media to engage with its audiences. Syracuse utilizes social media really well and has established a presence on almost all major social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, Pinterest and Tumblr. The only social media platform I didn’t hear Kate mention was Google+. It was interesting to learn that while Kate oversees all of the accounts, selected SU students are the ones writing, photographing and posting the content. It’s a shame that I’m graduating because I would have loved the opportunity to apply for this reputable position! I follow all of Syracuse’s social media accounts, except for Tumblr and Pinterest, and I have always been very impressed with how fresh, modern and consistent the team is with posting new information and photographs. My personal favorite social media platform is Syracuse’s Instagram account. From sports to snow to vintage #tbt, Syracuse’s Instagram account really captures the spirit of our blue and orange university. Syracuse’s Instagram page recently received recognition in an article entitled “How 10 Colleges Are Using Instagram.” I know that after graduation I’ll be especially grateful of Syracuse’s social media accounts because it will be an easy way to engage and stay updated on all of the events taking place on campus.

   Below is the Storify I created to summarize Kate’s lecture:

   #NewhouseSM4 welcomes @Just_Kate to our classroom:

2. 

   Jenna Bordy@jenna_bordy

   Welcome @Just_Kate to #NewhouseSM4!

   Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:21:28

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3. 

   Jessica Loveless@jllovele

   Sub @Just_Kate will be teaching #newhousesm4 today. She oversees a team of 8 students who maintain @syracuseu social media accounts.

   Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:21:48

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4. Learning about Syracuse’s twitter account:

5. 

   Adelyn Biedenbach@adelynlee

   The @SyracuseU social accounts have a large and varied audience from students, alumni to prospective students. #NewhouseSM4

   Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:22:03

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6. 

   today’s guest speaker in #NewhouseSM4 – @Just_Kate, Exec Director of #Digital & #SocialMedia for @SyracuseU http://pic.twitter.com/5Gd3APw9Dw

   Callan Young

   ·

   Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:22:22

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7. 

   AshleyJSeigel@AshleyJSeigel

   Facebook, Twitter and foursquare were the first few platforms that popped in in the @SUiSchool says @Just_Kate #NewhouseSM4

   Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:26:37

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8. Learning about @SUcampus:

9. 

   Allie@ayres_allie

   You learn something new every day! Follow @SUcampus for on-going events and @SyracuseU for more announcement driven content #NewhouseSM4

   Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:30:02

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10. 

    Chelsea Tomae@chelseatomae

    There are over 700 social media accounts that have Syracuse University in their name. 1/3 are inactive #NewhouseSM4 via @Just_Kate

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:30:10

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11. Discussing Syracuse University’s Facebook page:

12. 

    Hannah McDonald@McDonald_Hannah

    Visuals are very important. @SyracuseU rarely puts up posts without media link #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:37:28

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13. 

    Nicole Beletz@nicolebeletz

    It is very easy to throw up posts about sports, but that’s not just want @SyracuseU wants to be as a brand @Just_Kate #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:37:38

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14. 

    Jessica Loveless@jllovele

    As many as half of @syracuseu‘s facebook fans may be alumni not on campus. How does this change the content posted to the page? #newhousesm4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:36:49

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15. I was surprised to learn that SU has its own Pinterest account!

16. 

    Nicole Wageck@nicwageck

    @SyracuseU has a pinterest! Follow them here! pinterest.com/syracuseu/ #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:41:06

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17. 

    Rebecca Young@rebeccayoung92

    #NewhouseSM4 the smaller accounts, like #pinterest, are a place where @syracuseu can be fun

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:40:22

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18. 

    Allie@ayres_allie

    Brand touch point is key on Pinterest when your content reaches someone who knows nothing about your org. @Just_Kate #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:44:53

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19. 

    Tim Doehler@tjdoehler

    Not familiar with Pinterest but interesting to see how @SyracuseU has used it as another SM outlet to brand itself #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:44:27

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20. 

    Learning about pinterest with just_kate – @oscarprgirl influenced #livepinning #newhousesm4 http://instagr.am/p/WcqHvLu4bE/

    Charlotte Lipman

    ·

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:45:47

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21. My personal favorite Syracuse social media platform is Instagram:

22. 

    Nicole Wageck@nicwageck

    Follow @SyracuseU on #instagram for #tbt of archived photos from Bird Library of campus! pretty cool! #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:47:36

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23. 

    Rebecca Young@rebeccayoung92

    #newhousesm4 @just_kate says the best photos for @syracuseu #instagram page are of campus

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:46:26

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24. Syracuse’s Four Square account:

25. 

    Adelyn Biedenbach@adelynlee

    Having Alums creating @Foursquare lists of ‘Cuse places is one way @SyracuseU is utilizing the platform #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:50:38

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26. 

    Jacky Yang@jyang928

    can’t wait to “check in” to the real world…oh wait, i still have a year left! #junior #college #Foursquare #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:51:24

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27. 

    Kyle Suba@kylesuba

    Can’t wait to check into the real world @SyracuseU commencement! #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:51:32

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28. Syracuse’s Tumblr account:

29. 

    Nikki Pariser@NikkiPariser

    From twitter, to facebook to tumblr SU truly has it all. #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:57:38

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30. 

    Adelyn Biedenbach@adelynlee

    #Tumblr is an opportunity for @SyracuseU to pull prospective students through into being current students #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:55:38

    ReplyRetweetFavorite

31. 

    Jillian Marom@Jillym14

    The @SyracuseU student who blogged about her admission process for the @nytimes in 2012: thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com… #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 11:56:58

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32. Some final comments:

33. 

    Nicole Beletz@nicolebeletz

    Listening to @Just_Kate share stories about social media crises! #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 12:06:18

    ReplyRetweetFavorite

34. 

    maya kosoff@mekosoff

    “At the end of the day we’re not here for them. We’re here for our audience. And we feel pretty strongly about that” @just_kate #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 12:05:36

    ReplyRetweetFavorite

35. 

    Amy Khuu@AmyKhuuSU

    The perfect recipe on social media is to mix your own created content and third party content #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 12:05:03

    ReplyRetweetFavorite

36. 

    Jenna Bordy@jenna_bordy

    Using tools like @hootsuite is a great way to ensure SM mishaps do not occur #NewhouseSM4

    Mon, Mar 04 2013 12:07:30

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37. Thank you for your time Kate Brodock!

Al Gore To the Rescue

I was casually scrolling through my Twitter feed the other day when I learned some really awesome news: Al Gore is launching a new website called Reality Drop. The Huffington Post article that caught my attention does a great job of explaining the significance of the website:

“It’s happened to all of us. Sometime in the middle of dinner, or hanging out with friends, someone says they’re not sure climate change exists. And you’re suddenly at a loss for words.

The solution, according to former Vice President Al Gore, is a new social media tool designed to tell users the scientific truth about global warming. The tool (really more of a game), called Reality Drop, was unveiled today at a live event in Long Beach, California.”

The unfortunate scene depicted above has happened to me on a few occasions; I find myself in the middle of a climate change argument and fail as an environmentalist to properly articulate myself. When it comes to explaining my beliefs about climate change, I often find myself at a loss for words. Maybe I’m just in utter shock that it’s 2013 and I’m still surrounded by so many ignorant non believers? Regardless, those situations are very uncomfortable and I’m glad that I can now rely on my iPhone and know Mr. gore will be there to back me up–is there anything that an iPhone can’t do?

Within the past few years, I’ve noticed that the “save the environment” trend has really died out. It’s seems that people are simply over the green fad. I think many New Yorkers get confused when its 50 degrees in September and environmentalists are preaching about global warming. People need to understand that it’s climate change and for the sake of everyone’s confusion, global warming is a phrase that really needs to be phased out.

I’m very excited about this app and I think it will come in handy. I’ve taken a lot of environmental studies courses at Syracuse but obviously want to stay informed and aware of our global issue post graduation. The website is also a social media game where you earn points based on your influence. To learn more about the Reality Drop website, click here. Or watch the website’s promo video here:

Andrew Hetzel’s Lecture at Newhouse

On February 27, Andrew Hetzel, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield, visited Syracuse to deliver a presentation. Hetzel is a proud member of our Newhouse alumni community! Hetzel’s lecture focused on “Big Data vs. Big Regulation in the Quest for Consumer Loyalty.” It was a pleasure to learn from such an accomplished professional and the audience was extremely impressed with his speech. Throughout the presentation, members of the audience used the hashtag #NewhouseGLDSM to chat and share Hetzel’s inspiring words of wisdom. Below I have embedded the Storify that highlights Hetzel’s main points throughout the evening. Enjoy! 

Prior to his presentation in the Herg Auditorium, Hetzel attended our #NewhouseSM4 class to speak with us privately. Straight off the plane and into our classroom!  Here are some of his useful tips:  View as slideshow

1. 

   Callan Young@callan_young

   “Do your outreaches respectfully.” –@andrewhetzel on contacting executives & professionals in any field through #socialmedia #NewhouseSM4

   Wed, Feb 27 2013 11:59:32

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2. 

   Rebecca Young@rebeccayoung92

   Thank you @andrewhetzel for coming to today’s #NewhouseSM4 class

   Wed, Feb 27 2013 12:17:45

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3. 

   Jenna Bordy@jenna_bordy

   its about reaching out in the right way, in the right time while being respectful @andrewhetzel on networking #NewhouseSM4

   Wed, Feb 27 2013 12:00:06

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4. 

   Jenna Maldiner@jennamaldiner

   Social Media has made a huge difference on how we can interact with people that are not normally within our reach @andrewhetzel #NewhouseSM4

   Wed, Feb 27 2013 11:58:57

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5. Oh, and on a side note:
6. 

   Jillian Marom@Jillym14

   @andrewhetzel follows our class hashtag, #NewhouseSM4, and said, “It’s like getting a free education at @NewhouseSU“

   Wed, Feb 27 2013 12:00:27

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7. 

   Ready to hear @andrewhetzel again for #NewhouseGLDSM #NewhouseSM4 http://pic.twitter.com/GjC9YbNaGC

   Jenna Bordy

   ·

   Wed, Feb 27 2013 14:42:56

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8. At 6p.m. Hetzel met with a much larger audience to discuss “Big Data vs. Big Regulation” After a brief introduction, Andrew Hetzel takes the stage:
9. 

   William J. Ward@DR4WARD

   Please welcome our #NewhouseGLDSM guest spkr & @NewhouseSU Alumnus @andrewhetzel VP Corp. Comm. w/ @BCBSM

   Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:00:51

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10. 

    “@NewhouseSU: And @andrewhetzel takes the podium! #NewhouseGLDSM” #SUPRSSA http://twitter.com/SUPRSSA/status/306902916625731584/photo/1 http://pic.twitter.com/4VOUW8iiV6

    Syracuse PRSSA

    ·

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:07:47

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11. 

    Healthcare Big Data Conundrum ~ @andrewhetzel VP Corp Comm @BCBSM #NewhouseGLDSM #infographic http://twitpic.com/c7cj2v

    William J. Ward

    ·

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:09:40

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12. How deep and TRUE is this statement?:
13. 

    Ellie Wilkinson@ebwilkin

    “There is no industry that is more personal than healthcare. Your life (quite literally) could be in our hands.”@andrewhetzel #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:12:56

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14. Hetzel discusses social media and healthcare:
15. 

    Adelyn Biedenbach@adelynlee

    Medical professionals have shyed away from SM because they are not easily reconciled with HIPPA, regulation #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:18:41

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16. 

    The change to come will be something never seen in decades. @andrewhetzel #newhousegldsm http://pic.twitter.com/Eg3lQGQkFA

    Nicole Beletz

    ·

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:20:56

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17. 

    Tim Doehler@tjdoehler

    “Social Media is about PEOPLE. It carries the human experience” – @andrewhetzel #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:25:30

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18. 

    Newhouse School@NewhouseSU

    If you have a social media page, you need to engage with your audience. #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:26:44

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19. 

    Zi Lin Liang@zilinliang

    Employees are the best ambassadors for brands. Half of @BCBSM blog contributors are employees #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:33:32

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20. 

    Jenna Bordy@jenna_bordy

    Half of the people that go to @BCBSM ‘s blog are employees…great result want employees to know what is going on #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:33:39

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21. Hetzel discussing Blue Cross Blue Shield’s #Connect2BFit program:
22. 

    Jillian Marom@Jillym14

    #Connect2BFit a great technological advancement that engages customers to live healthy lifestyles #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:48:25

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23. I think everyone in the audience was smiling after this comment:
24. 

    Syracuse PRSSA@SUPRSSA

    @NewhouseSU is the Harvard Law of communications – @andrewhetzel #NewhouseGLDSM #SUPRSSA

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:51:58

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25. 

    Guy Golan@GuyGolan

    @bcbsm you are lucky to have a top professional like @andrewhetzel on your team. He gave an amazing talk at @NewhouseSU #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:54:31

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26. On to the Q&A portion of the evening:
27. 

    Kyle Suba@kylesuba

    #newhousegldsm OK who’s got questions for @andrewhetzel?!

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:53:47

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
28. 

    Q & A w/ @andrewhetzel & @DR4WARD. #NewhouseGLDSM http://pic.twitter.com/g46VPhhpat

    NewhousePR

    ·

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 16:00:00

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29. 

    NewhousePR@NewhousePR

    “Health is a Social Phenomenon.” @andrewhetzel #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:55:30

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30. How to integrate social media into your company in an appropriate, safe way:
31. 

    sean branagan@sean_branagan

    Nice practical questions about healthcare employees on social media from @nwenderlich and @cabramsGPS #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 16:00:41

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32. 

    Ellie Wilkinson@ebwilkin

    SM managers from St. Joseph’s and Crouse Hospital spoke up to ask about how to persuade senior leaders to embrace SM #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 16:01:26

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33. 

    Hub Brown@ProfHB

    @andrewhetzel: I learned SM is like a cocktail party. You don’t come in & shout. You circulate and listen to conversations. #newhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:56:43

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34. 

    Adelyn Biedenbach@adelynlee

    Issues of empowering employees to tweet during the work day are discussed #NewhouseGLDSM Risks include security and data regulations

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:57:46

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35. 

    Jenna Bordy@jenna_bordy

    People’s phones are a personal gateway to SM at work #NewhouseGLDSM a growing issue in the workplace

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:59:19

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36. #NewhouseSM4 was very impressed with our guest speaker. Thank you Andrew Hetzel!
37. 

    Haley Cohen@HaleyRaeCohen

    Absolutely impressed with @andrewhetzel lecture. It feels great 2 b a @NewhouseSU student. Learned a multitude of things #NewhouseGLDSM

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 15:56:03

    ReplyRetweetFavorite
38. 

    Celebrating @andrewhetzel ‘s lecture on big data in the Herg with #newhouseGLDSM and @Suprssa . Thanks for coming! http://pic.twitter.com/iFbuNmihUt

    Kyle Suba

    ·

    Wed, Feb 27 2013 16:09:29

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Fatoosh Tuesday

Within the last few years, food photography has become my guilty pleasure. My obsession can be classified as ‘guilty’ because all of my friends and family make me think I’m crazy for constantly looking at pictures of food. It’s a ‘pleasure’ because instead of ever attempting to cook or bake the food, I just admire the photographs. You don’t gain the lbs from just looking, right?

If I’m not sitting in front my computer doing work or on Facebook and Twitter, it’s safe to assume that I’m staring, or better yet drooling, at food pictures on StumbleUpon and FoodGawker. I guess you could call my recent obsession an addiction to food porn? I bear no shame.

Remember College Humor’s Nickleback parody “Look at this Instagram” where they make fun of our generation’s obssession with Instagram? If you haven’t seen it, I strongly recommend the video because it’s hilarious. Then check out my Instagram account (@Jillym14 all followers welcomed) and you’ll notice that most of my photos are food based. I pretty much fit all of the parody’s stereotypes. Most specifically, I’m that embarassing person in a restaurant who makes everyone wait before devouring their food so that I can photograph the meal from 10 different angles. Every meal has to be picture perfect.

Anyways, because I’m always eager to share food photography with anyone around me, I’ll now share it with you, whoever you are, every Tuesday for Fatoosh Tuesday. I’ll post mouth watering images that come from recipes I’ve discovered and on the occasion, my own heavily filtered Instagram food photos. This is definitely going to become my favorite day of the week.

Now on to the yummy stuff.

Peanut butter treats:

Peanut Butter Cocoa Krispies Smores Bars by Averie Cooks

Oreo and Peanut Butter Brownie Cakes by Picky Palate

Better-Than-Crack Brownies by How Sweet It Is

Honeyed Apple Peanut Butter Tart by Picky Palate

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT...

I’ve always been one to stand out from those around me; I’ve never really done something just because everyone else was doing it.  This has held true in most aspects of my life, and it wasn’t any different when social media came into play.  I never had a MySpace, never tried Friendster, and don’t think I ever visited that Xanga website.  The only social media platform I utilized back then was Facebook (like the rest of the world).  As for other social media, I joined Instagram a few months ago and as shocking as it sounds, Twitter came into my life just over ONE month ago (before that I had clearly been living under a rock). And now, thanks to my“Social Media U Need 2 Know NewhouseSM4”course at Newhouse, I’m active on Google+ and my LinkedIn profile has become much more professional.

Before that course, and…

View original post 217 more words

Social Media Then And Now

My first encounter with social media, not including AOL’s features, was seven years ago when my preteen friends and I decided to sign up for Friendster. Friendster is a social networking site where you interacted with friends, met new people and shared photos. Basically, it was our gateway drug to Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and today, the ever so popular Instagram.

Remember this guy?

I think social media is brilliant and I really respect the way it has evolved over the past few years. I can truly enjoy and identify with social media because it’s a way to project myself over several different mediums. Since I didn’t come out of the womb as a science or mathematical genius and lack any artistic capabilities, I was forced to search for an alternative way to express myself. Luckily for me, social media has become quite the hot commodity and it goes together quite nicely with my education in public relations. As a second semester senior, I’ve been keeping my eyes open for job opportunities. Since I really do enjoy everything I’ve learned thus far in Dr. William J. Ward’s “Social Media You Need to Know” course, I’ve been filtering my job searches to include social media. What does this mean for my future? I’m not really sure yet. All I know is that if I’m going to be working in public relations, I definitely want social media to be a part of the job description.

Here’s To New Beginnings!

First blog entry. Talk about pressure to whip up some quality writing! I started a blog called Marom Aviv one year ago in an effort to inform my friends and family on my whereabouts while abroad in Tel Aviv, Israel. However, the blog failed when I realized that I preferred to be out enjoying every moment of my incredible experience than sitting inside typing everything up. Truthfully, I was far too immersed in the Israeli culture and blogging just didn’t fit into my schedule.

Fast forward to one year later and it’s currently 2:51 p.m. on a Friday and I’m comfortably relaxing in my bed. I’m a second semester senior and I don’t feel guilty about being a bum right now because I’m VERY aware that in three months, I’ll either be searching for a full-time job or (fingers crossed) will be employed. Similarly to my time in Tel Aviv, I’m enjoying every last-minute of my fart too short college career. Anyways, I decided to change my old blog name into something more suitable for my passions for public relations and social media. Marom Aviv Media is a mix of my last name, my true love for all things related to Tel Aviv and the media world that I will soon be entering. Additionally, because I’m addicted to food photography and am passionate about climate change, I plan to include blog posts on these topics. Sorry in advance for all of the random postings but these are my areas of interest.

One piece of advice that I wish I could scream out to all underclassmen is this: declare your major early and take 15-16 credits every semester so that by the time senior year rolls around, you can qualify as a part-time student and only take a couple of classes. As a sophomore, I used my extreme organizational skills to plan out every remaining semester at Syracuse. Somehow, I managed to complete most of my requirements, receive credit abroad and as a result, I’m only enrolled in three courses. If you couldn’t tell, I’m really enjoying my chill semester. On top of all of that, I LOVE my classes. Just ask my parents; I visited home last weekend and I think I spent half our time together blabbing about my courses.

I’m currently taking three Newhouse courses: (1)Race, Gender and the Media, (2) Communications Law for Public Relations and Advertising and (3) Social Media You Need to Know. The latter class is actually the reason I decided to create this blog. Thanks to Dr. William Ward (@DR4WARD) I’m becoming an expert on all major social media platforms. Name a social media website or application and I bet I’m on it. Facebook, Instagram, Google+, LinkedIn, Vine, Klout, HootSuite and the list will grow as the semester unravels. So far, I have learned so much invaluable information and I couldn’t be happier that I am taking these courses right before I enter the real world. I’ve become a social media extraordinaire, a law nerd (I literally enjoy reading the textbook) and I’m more aware than ever before about the importance of gender and racial equality in modern-day media. All I can say is thank you Newhouse for allowing me to take such diverse and valuable courses. I look forward to writing future entries!