Wednesday, 25 March 2009

Are we getting the full picture on bottled water?

I read an interesting article in today's Globe and Mail.

Polaris Institute is a public interests group who wants to curb bottled water use. The Institute compared the recall notices on the government list with those made public on the CFIA's website. They found no record for most of them nor did they find consistency in their approach.
Polaris will be issuing the access findings



MESSAGE

CFIA is giving consumers a misleading impression about the quality of bottled water by not revealing the extent of its recall activity.

"Recalls are happening and coupled with that they're not widely publicized," said Joe Cressy, a spokesman for the institute.

Mr. Balsom stated "There is nothing indicating what is to be made public or what's not." Balsom admitted that under the current disclosure system there is a possibility consumers might unknowingly use products for which recalls have taken place.




STAKEHOLDERS

The Polaris Institute, the FDA, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Perrier & all other distillers of bottled water, the general public.

AUDIENCE
The public consumer.

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

The article I read in the Globe and Mail this morning was interesting.

Talk show host and 4 of the show's panalists ridiculed Canada's military effort in Afghanistan on Fox TV's late night show "Red Eye" on March 17th. Gutfield (host of the show) did not make a personal apology but chose to send a general apology through a Fox publicist. As well, he chose not to take the opportunity offered by the Globe and Mail to explain himself. Fox needs to prepare their Reputation Campaign.

Stakeholders are Greg Gutfield,4 other panalists (Shulz,Benson,Crowley,Hoenig); the military, RCMP, families of soldiers, all Canadians,Canadian politicians, FOX TV, Rick Mercer, Jennifer Whalen.

Greg Guftfieldès rueful method of apology is not enough. Red Eye is receiving much criticism due to this. Rick Mercer stated that ÈThe Fact that Red Eye airs in the middle of the night is a sign that its creator isnèt experiencing Èthe pinnacle of successÈ.Jennifer Whalen, head writer for the award-winning Canadian comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes, said she thought the segment was ÈsadÈ.

This lack of respect is felt by Canadian citizens and will effect the audiences of FOX TV.

Friday, 27 February 2009

What's Going To Happen To CBC

CBC finds itself in the Toronto Star front page.



Due to the economy and a severe drop in advertisment revenues, CBC is faced with major cost saving measures to cope with its deepening financial crisis. According to CBC President Hubert Lacroix, options include more ads, more American programming, selling or downgrading parts of its TV/radio services and consolidating local stations. CBC President Hubert Lacroix receives criticism of considering the option of more American programming.

PUBLIC RELATIONS ISSUE: The CBC is facing major cost-saving measures "that would change the very nature of our service to Canadians" as it copes with its deepening financial crisis.

PUBLICS include: CBC, CBC employees, ACTRA, Heritage Canada, the Federal Government, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, Canadians (as taxpayers and audience), The Canadian Film and Television Production Association, the Canadian Media Guild.

MESSAGE:
Options include more ads and American programming.

"If the changes Mr. Lacroix envisages are made, there'll be no distinction between public and private broadcasting operations in this country. His scenario could lead to the end of CBC. He's going down the wrong road." stated Steve Waddell, Chief of ACTRA. "We don't want to see CBC undermined or torn down in haste. More American programming won't help Canada's public broadcaster. We look to all parties to support stable funding for the CBC."

AUDIENCE: All of the publics.

Thursday, 26 February 2009

I found this interesting headline on the front page of The Globe and Mail today.

The story asks why it took 10 days for this couple to be rescued.

The publics are the Blackburn family, the Kicking Horse Resort, the RCMP, the Golden District Search & Rescue Team, a private helicopter, the Purcell Helicopter Skiing company.

Feb. 15 Couple goes missing.
Feb. 17 Ski guide alerts Purcell Helicopter Skiing company to an SOS signal who alerts Kicking Horse Resort who checks for missing persons report, parking lot, unreturned skiis finding no indication of anyone missing. Kicking Horse Resort didn't launch a ground rescue search.

Feb. 21 Two more SOS signs were spotted and Purcell Helicopter Skiing company who in turn notified the RCMP who checked with the Golden District Search & Rescue Team who stated that the case had been looked into. Once again, no ground search was initiated. Ian Foss (spokesperson) from the Golden District S&R stated that "Nobody had actually been reported missing at this point. With no report of a missing person, it's hard to start a search." "Can't commence a search without an official order."
Feb.22 Rumors of spotted SOS signs are heard amongst the public. RCMP stated "We do get rumours all the time. So and so's missing, and so-an-so's lost. It's just a small town. When you hear a rumour they can only respond if the RCMP decides its worthwhile responding to."
Feb.23 The family puts out a missing persons bulletin.
Feb. 24 A private helicopter making its own search for the couple spots the fourth SOS. (Town Rumours resulted in public making its own search.)RCMP receive missing persons bulletin. RCMP said "We basically became aware that this missing couple from Quebec were the rescued people really as we were dealing with this incident." The last paragraph of the article states that the RCMP said they thought Ms. Fortin died of exposure. Mr. Foss said "it doesn't really sound like that" refusing to speculate further.

Wednesday, 25 February 2009

I found today's headlines in the Toronto Star interesting.

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

I found this interesting article in theStar

Blog#3

OK! This my very third blog and I'm starting to find my way around.

The Second Session - Public Relations

Here it is....my very second blog. It's only been a month! Miigwetch Cynthia for your help. I look forward to this week.

Tuesday, 20 January 2009

My Very First Blog

This has been an exciting day. (First day in the Indigenous Public Relations Program through FNTI. Met 10 interesting classmates and look forward to great things to come in this next year together.